Spanish producers considered the EU's handling of the situation in 2013 "outrageous" and they warned about the risk of spread in European plantations.
"We don't ask for South African products to be banned; we only demand effective phytosanitary barriers at the borders."
During the meeting held on Monday with the secretary of Agriculture, Isabel García Tijerina, representatives of the Spanish citrus sector, Agro-food Cooperatives of Spain, ASAJA, COAG, UPA, the Citrus Management Committee and Ailimpo demanded a stronger effort from the Ministry in Brussels for the introduction of the necessary protection measures, given the severe phytosanitary threat posed by South African citrus imports infected with "black spot".
The sector understands the coordination between the Commission and the various member states is difficult, but time is running out, and strategies imposed by political, commercial or diplomatic pressures will not be accepted.