SA citrus farmers want the government to lodge a complaint against the EU at the World Trade Organisation over the European bloc’s citrus black spot regulations which they say threaten thousands of jobs.
The EU’s plant health rules could cut SA’s orange exports to Europe by 20% this year, according to the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa . Reuters has asked the EU and SA’s trade department for comment. No other major citrus exporters have complained about the EU measures, which relate to pests and diseases that are most commonly found in SA.
“The CGA calls on the SA government to work with the industry to put a stop to these CBS regulations and fight for jobs and revenue. Declaring a WTO dispute is truly a matter of urgency,” Joubert said.