(Geneva) South Africa on Friday obtained permission from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to arbitrate the dispute between it and the European Union over European restrictions on its citrus exports, according to a source close to the discussions.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body.
South Africa had already made a request for a ruling to the WTO in June, which the EU had opposed. But according to the rules of procedure, it is not possible for a country to block a request for a panel (arbitration commission) twice in a row. The constitution of a body responsible for deciding between the two parties was therefore automatic on Friday, during South Africa’s second formal request.
The EU imposed new phytosanitary requirements two years ago to combat the potential spread of the false codling moth, an African pest with a weakness for oranges and grapefruit, and the Phyllosticta citricarpaa fungus affecting citrus fruits.
But South African producers are angry about the new rules, which they say threaten their survival.
The EU requires all oranges destined for European tables to be treated with extreme cold and kept at temperatures below or equal to two degrees Celsius for 25 days, which South African producers say is not necessary as the country already has more targeted means to prevent the infestation.
South Africa filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization in 2022 against measures related to the control of the false codling moth, and this year, in April, against those relating to the fungus.
Africa’s most industrialised country argued in its 2022 complaint that the EU’s demands were “not based on scientific data”, calling them “discriminatory” and excessive.
In 2022, South Africa was the world’s second largest exporter of fresh citrus after Spain, and Europe was the largest market for South African citrus, according to the South African Citrus Growers Association.