South African government and citrus authorities have launched a comprehensive audit of the two cases of CBS interceptions recorded in the UK.
“With all the positives we have achieved this year in mind, it was especially disappointing when we were notified on 17 June about two interceptions in the UK,” says Deon Joubert, the Citrus Growers Association (CGA)’s special envoy for market access and EU matters.
The interceptions relate to organic lemons, both from the same PUC number - the orchard where the fruit was picked - in the Eastern Cape.
Joubert said South Africa’s department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (DAFF), and the CGA have begun a comprehensive audit on the two cases and any related issues to ensure this is fully addressed.
He added: “As this happened unexpectedly early in the season on a product normally very well managed, a full investigation on the entire supply chain is underway. For now the PUC in question has been blacklisted, and all related fruit rerouted away from the EU. It is envisaged that once the audit and investigation reports have been completed, the steps to address will be presented to DG Sante in Brussels.”
Joubert also released details which show the South African seriousness and diligence in dealing with the CBS issue: “So far the number of orchards inspected by DAFF has reached 6,082, compared to 4,759 in 2014, and 3,092 in 2013. DAFF is well ahead on 2014, and showing once again that South Africa is raising the bar.”
“From that inspected number, 1,552 orchards have been rejected by DAFF for export to the EU this year, compared to 681 in 2014, and 163 in 2013.”
“The orchards voluntary withdrawn from the EU export list - which assists with mitigating the risk of CBS symptoms arriving in Europe - by South African growers have reached 1,030 in 2015, compared to 1,455 last season and the 221 of 2013.'
It is envisaged that once the audit and investigation reports have been completed, the steps to address the problem will be presented to the European Commission's directorate-general for health and food safety in Brussels.
