The agricultural organisation Asaja-Huelva has requested a ban on the import of South African fruit after the appearance of a new case of anthractnose (Citrus Black Spot), present in citrus fruits grown in South Africa.
The disease has been detected in the Netherlands and it is the fifth case so far this year, which is the legal maximum established by the European Commission before the import of such products has to be banned. Last year, up to 27 warnings were issued by importing countries.
Asaja-Huelva considers it vitally important for the European Union to take action as quickly and firmly as possible, as well as for appropriate action to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease in European plantations. It appears that shipments from South Africa are still arriving without the European administration having taken any measures about it.
Asaja-Huelva wished to make it clear that this is not a competitive issue, as the productions from South Africa and Europe have almost completely different seasons, but it does constitute a serious phytosanitary problem and further evidence that the European Union is often too lenient with the production of third countries, while extremely strict with its own producers, which is damaging for its own interests.
The disease has been detected in the Netherlands and it is the fifth case so far this year, which is the legal maximum established by the European Commission before the import of such products has to be banned. Last year, up to 27 warnings were issued by importing countries.
Asaja-Huelva considers it vitally important for the European Union to take action as quickly and firmly as possible, as well as for appropriate action to be taken to prevent the spread of the disease in European plantations. It appears that shipments from South Africa are still arriving without the European administration having taken any measures about it.
Asaja-Huelva wished to make it clear that this is not a competitive issue, as the productions from South Africa and Europe have almost completely different seasons, but it does constitute a serious phytosanitary problem and further evidence that the European Union is often too lenient with the production of third countries, while extremely strict with its own producers, which is damaging for its own interests.
