South Africa hopes that the World Trade Organization (WTO) will establish panels in July to hear its two lawsuits against the EU over adjustments to phytosanitary controls on citrus imports in 2022, the country's government said in a statement.
The upgraded measures include increased cold treatment for fruit owing to concerns about the false codling moth, a pest common in Sub-Saharan Africa, and citrus black spot, a fungal disease that creates dark blotches on fruit.
South Africa argues that the EU's measures are "unscientific and discriminatory." Following unsuccessful consultations with the EU, South Africa has requested the formation of two panels at a recent meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to review its grievances.
South Africa argues that the EU's measures are "unscientific and discriminatory." Following unsuccessful consultations with the EU, South Africa has requested the formation of two panels at a recent meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to review its grievances.
"Should the EU continue with the implementation of these measures or intensify them in any way, the profitability of hundreds of growers will be negatively affected and the industry will suffer severe revenue and job losses," South Africa's trade and agriculture ministries said in a joint statement with the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa.
Although the EU did not consent to South Africa's request for two panels at this time, the DSB process requires that the adjudication panels be constituted at the following meeting in July 2024.
The EU has expressed regret over South Africa's decision to escalate the cases to panel proceedings but insists that its pest control measures are fully justified and that it will prevail in any dispute processes.