South Africa requests review of EU measures on citrus imports before the WTO

 

This petition marks the first time that South Africa resort to the dispute settlement system of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

 

South Africa has raised two disputes in relation to EU regulations governing the import of citrus fruits. The measures in question refer to restrictions imposed to control the spread of the insect Thaumatotibia leucotreta, known as the false codling moth, and the fungus P. citricarpa, also called "citrus black spot." According to South Africa, these regulations are not based on scientific principles and lack sufficient evidence, in addition to restricting trade more than necessary to achieve the protection desired by the EU.

 

EU restrictions are having a significant impact on South Africa's citrus exports, a sector that provides employment to more than 140,000 people. Furthermore, these measures affect other countries in the region who depend on South African infrastructure for their citrus exports.

 

The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) took note of the statements of both parties and agreed to review the issues raised if any requesting member wished to return to the issue in the future.

 

South Africa highlighted that the EU measures did not take into account regional differences in pest risk and underlined the need to safeguard its rights through WTO procedures. "The EU measures are not based on scientific principles and restrict trade more than necessary"said the South African representative.

 

For its part, the European Union regretted South Africa's decision to initiate the panel procedure, but defended the justification of its pest control measures. "Our measures are fully justified and we are confident that we will be successful in any dispute procedure," said an EU spokesperson. However, the EU was not ready to accept South Africa's requests for panels at this meeting.