16 representatives of French and Spanish producers took part, while Italy was represented by Elena Albertini, who also represents Alleanza delle Cooperative and is the Citrus fruit coordinator for the interbranch organisation.
Everybody stressed the importance of the creation of such a contact group, especially considering that the three countries represent 90% of the European production. The aim is to share experiences and analyse all the elements that are related to the sector so as to implement common strategies to improve the quality of the production and standardise the use of plant protection products from an ecological point of view.
The first topic discussed was the protection of citrus groves from diseases such as the Citrus Black Spot and Citrus greening coming from extra-European countries and the protection of the environment against the strong impact of the remedies employed to stop or slow down the transmission.
Everybody stressed the importance of the creation of such a contact group, especially considering that the three countries represent 90% of the European production. The aim is to share experiences and analyse all the elements that are related to the sector so as to implement common strategies to improve the quality of the production and standardise the use of plant protection products from an ecological point of view.
The first topic discussed was the protection of citrus groves from diseases such as the Citrus Black Spot and Citrus greening coming from extra-European countries and the protection of the environment against the strong impact of the remedies employed to stop or slow down the transmission.
The meeting was very interesting and the group has already scheduled the next encounters - 3rd-4th November in Valencia to analyse the new campaign and in January in Catania for a visit to a Tarocco orange grove.
The 23rd meeting of the Mixed Committee
The issue of the CBS was also discussed by the Italian-French-Spanish mixed committee on 4th May. The EU Standing Committee has in fact recently approved weaker checks on imports, especially for what concerns the fruit destined to the processing industry, for produce from countries (Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa) where the CBS virus is spreading.
Cia-Agricoltori italiani, Confagricoltura, Copagri and Alleanza delle Cooperative agroalimentari have stressed the importance of not letting our guard down in order to avoid dangerous contaminations.
Italy was represented by Felice Assenza, Roberto Cherubini and Eleonora Iacovoni from Mipaaf, Anna Rufolo and Stefano Fancia from CIA and Simona Rubbi from CSO, in addition to Davide Vernocchi and Alessandro Dalpiaz for Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane.
Anna Rufolo told FreshPlaza that the committee discussed issues such as mutual recognition, the standardisation of the use of plant protection products, the need to open alternative markets for European produce after the closure of the Russian market and the drafting of proposals for the EU Commissions concerning the next delegated act.
According to Simone Rubbi, the representatives also talked about the maintenance of current norms concerning the trade of produce as "they are still needed, mainly for consumers."
The Mixed Committee also analysed the work of tomato, strawberry, garlic, peach and nectarine and apple contact groups, which include an assessments of the campaigns and recommendations from operators.
The next meeting of the Mixed Committee will take place in Italy in the spring of 2017.