South African Citrus Farmers Want Help Against EU Export Rules

South African citrus farmers are pleading with the government to challenge the European Union (EU) over its strict black spot laws after the international body said it stopped some imports of South African fruit.

Black spot is a physiological plant disorder.

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa has called on the South African government "to work with the industry to put a stop to the citrus black spot fungal disease (CBS) regulations and fight for South African jobs and revenue".

This is not the first time t he EU's legislation affected South Africa's citrus trade.

In August 2022, the EU introduced legislation that required all produce from South Africa to undergo extreme cold treatment of between 0°C to -1°C for at least 16 days before export, to stave off false codling moth contamination. The new rules forced the industry to ban the export of some types of citrus, like blood oranges, Turkey, Salustiana, Benny, and Midknights, which cannot withstand those cold temperatures.

This article first appeared on All Africa

Photo: All Africa