South Africa Consulting With EU at WTO Over Ban on South African Citrus Fruit

South Africa on April 24 requested dispute consultations with the EU at the World Trade Organization concerning the bloc's regime on imports of South African citrus fruit, the WTO announced.

The EU banned the import of South African citrus fruit affected by the "citrus black spot," which South Africa says violates the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The parties now have 60 days to discuss the matter, and if no solution is reached, South Africa can request "adjudication by a panel."

The request marks the second dispute opened by South Africa concerning the EU's import restrictions on citrus fruit from South Africa, following the case on the bloc's phytosanitary requirements on oranges and other citrus products from South Africa pertaining to the "false codling moth" pest.