The Argentinean lemon industry is to reiterate its request to resume shipments to the US by offering US authorities “sufficient” phytosanitary guarantees to appease concerns over Citrus Variegated Chlorosis disease (CVC), according to Argentina’s National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa).
At a meeting in Tucumán (attended by Senasa general manager Diana Guillen and national director for plant protection Diego Quiroga as well as industry representatives) Senasa explained to suppliers that the new demands recently proposed by the US (in relation to CVC disease) are “unacceptable”.
Senasa said not one country which imports lemons regulates the disease because current scientific records are not conclusive as to whether the fruit can be classified as a route of entry for the disease.
In order to continue the negotiations, which began in 2005, Senasa said it will therefore offer US authorities sufficient phytosanitary guarantees by implementing feasible measures in the field.
