15 July 2022
The European Commission (EC) published the revised Annex VII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 with regard to requirements for the export of citrus mainly oranges from South Africa to the European Union. This publication occurred when South Africa was still engaged
in technical discussions with the EC on the proposed measures.
South Africa recognises the sovereignty of the EC and appreciates that the EC has to take phytosanitary measures to protect its plant health and the environment. However, South Africa views the current implementation of the aforementioned Regulation as not only trade restrictive but also technically unjustified. South Africa had through numerous engagements with the EC identified crtitical areas of concern. These areas include the failure of the Regulation to recognise the already strengthened South Africa’s systems approach for integrated pest risk management of False Codling Moth. The implementation of this Regulation also brings to the fore the fairness and rationality of introducing cumbersome
logistical and infrastructural requirements relating to precooling requirements during the midseason of exports of South African citrus. Plans for these exports are concluded in advance of the export season, to which EC was made aware of on numerous occasions.
This new regulation was published on 21 June 2022 and came into force on 24 June 2022 which implies that consignments arriving in the European Union from 14 July 2022 had to be compliant with the new regulation. South Africa views the implementation of such a measure within three days of its publication without considering consignments that would have left prior the publication and destined to arrive after the said date as against the spirit of transparency and also restricts adequate transitional time to comply with such a measure. South Africa posits that the measure as taken by the EC falls outside the ambit of an emergency measure and therefore exploration of least restrictive measures that would result in the minimum
impediment to the international movement of the South African citrus commodities and its conveyances need to be explored.
South Africa continues to engage with the EC on the new Regulations and we remain optimistic on exploring options and finding solutions that would continue to ensure safe trade and will result in minimal impact on trade. For more information Please contact Mr JanHendrik Venter at
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Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:
Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson: Mr Reggie Ngcobo, 066 298 0980 or
Eviction Toll-free Number 0800 007 095