Pretoria - The European Union’s export ban on some of South Africa’s citrus products is a major concern and poses a threat to socio-economic development in the country, says the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The committee has called for urgent closer cooperation between the South African government and its European counterparts to further discuss the issue on scientific evidence and reconsider the decision.
It has also urged for more collaboration with the affected citrus producers in the industry to take proper control measures to ensure identified regions are disease-free.
This follows reports that citrus black spot was found in several citrus fruit cargos from South Africa to European markets this year. This led to the European authorities putting restrictions on some of the country’s citrus exports from certain identified regions.
Committee Chairperson Lulu Johnson said the decision had the potential to impact negatively on the industry in terms of both the income and job losses.
“As much as we believe that each party has the obligation to act in the best for its economy, as the committee we strongly believe that it is through the continuous negotiations that an amicable solution favourable to both countries, especially their producers and consumers, can be found before this causes more unexpected harm,” said Johnson.
The committee encouraged parties to find a way of eliminating the possible development of the citrus black spot, and equally appeal to the EU to open doors for negotiations. – SAnews.gov.za
