The European Union has provisionally agreed to recognise South Africa’s quality control systems for fresh fruit and vegetables exported to Europe, the government said on Wednesday.
The Department of Agriculture said the approval was subject to South Africa submitting additional documents recently requested by the EU. This would be done in the next two weeks.
”If our application is finally approved, certified South African fresh produce… will enter the EU by means of paper audits done by custom officials and will only be subjected to normal quality spot checks.”
The department said it expected the matter to be finalised next month. EU regulations require all imported fresh produce to be inspected in Europe from January 1 next year to ensure that they conform to prescribed standards.
”The inspection of all consignments in Europe can, because of logistical and other problems, have major consequences for exporting countries,” the department said.
”This includes South Africa which is still exporting between 60 and 70% of its fresh produce to the EU.”
An exporting country could, however, apply for exemption provided that the EU found its export quality control systems adequate. South Africa did so earlier this year. – Sapa