Carin SmithBy early August 2022, millions of boxes of SA oranges were spoiling in containers stranded at European ports.New EU rules, implemented in July last year, aim at tackling the potential spread of an insect called the false codling moth.
A stalemate regarding the new EU regulations spells disaster for the 2023 season if the government cannot resolve it soon, warns the Citrus Growers' Association.A stalemate regarding new European Union regulations impacting SA citrus exports spells disaster for the 2023 season if the government cannot resolve it soon, the Citrus Growers' Association warned on Wednesday.
The new measures require South African farmers to apply extreme cold treatment to all Europe-bound oranges and keep the fruits at temperatures of two degrees Celsius or lower for 25 days. But the CGA claims this measure is unnecessary as SA has proven that it already has its own, more targeted, way of preventing infestation.
A recent study by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy estimates that should EU authorities continue to enforce the new regulations, additional costs and loss of income will amount to more than R500 million in 2023.
_Business Expecting this government to resolve anything is highly optimistic.