The Permanent Phytosanitary Committee in Brussels decided on implementing stricter measures last week concerning the import of South African citrus. Michel Jansen from Total Produce believes that the new stricter measures for the citrus import were a long time coming. "In reality they came at a ridiculous time: the new season is already in full swing, but they are certainly ending the controlling insecurity. It's almost impossible to make good business agreements without clarity around the black spot theme, for a fruit importer, but also for a producer or exporter."
Unnecessary costs
"It's now important to take away the insecurity in the long term," continues Michel. "Although the measures can be carried out according to the South Africans, unnecessary costs are still being added to the chain. Of course the EU has to protect itself against undesirable dangerous organisms and South Africa will have to conform to the European regulations but the measures have to be appropriate and proportional. According to the EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, the risk of black spot can be sufficiently managed with a well functioning system approach. South Africa is working very hard on such a system approach at the moment, an approach with which Argentina has successfully managed to prevent additional measures from the EU. I wonder whether this expensive sampling procedure is really necessary to reduce the risk of black spot to an acceptable level. I also wonder if this measure will be able to be reduced in the future, next year, to the really risky products and period, if they are even needed."
"It is important for the current season that South Africa proves that the black spot problem can be controlled in a structural and convincing manner, so that the trust in Brussels can grow and there is more chance of a balanced measure. It is also important that the EU and South Africa continue to look for a long term solution that is agreeable to both parties. Over the last few weeks the Dutch government and politicians, in consultation with businesses, for instance Frugi Venta, have played a good role in the process that has lead to the right and feasible measures. I hope that they can continue to fulfil this constructive role, as after the political compromise that has been reached in the short term the ambition needs to be to definitively secure the future of the European import of South African citrus."
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Michel Jansen
For more information:
Michel Jansen