The chief executive of the U.K.'s fresh produce trade association has blasted the European Commission for its latest stance on South African citrus, branding the organization's plant health control rules as 'a lottery rather than a risk-based approach to plant health'.

In a statement on Fresh Produce Consortium's (FPC) website, which has also been distributed to U.K. importers and wholesalers of South African citrus via a newsletter, chief executive Nigel Jenney makes the remarks following the recent announcement that exporters would face more stringent export controls because of the risk of citrus black spot (CBS).

He also criticizes the Commission for its lack of communication with the industry and its failure to follow recommendations from its own scientific experts. 

Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has been heavily involved with vigorous lobbying of the Commission over the last few months to avoid what it calls "draconian" measures.

"After so much effort, FPC has helped to secure a more sensible outcome which we believe can be achieved by South African exporters. This will ensure that the U.K. can continue to enjoy South African citrus," Jenney's statement said.

"We are deeply disappointed that there was insufficient support for the U.K. proposal for derogation for citrus for processing. The Commission failed to take on board the recommendations of its own scientific experts to recognize the demarcation between citrus growing and non-citrus growing regions."

He added the Commission had failed to take a consistent approach to applying control measures to different countries, with industry communication occurring "too little, too late".

"It really is a lottery, rather than a risk based approach to plant health controls. Let's hope that the Commission's fortress Europe approach does not undermine European exports to third countries."

www.freshfruitportal.com