The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) recently raised concerns about the growing trend of private food-safety standards imposed by retailers. The WCO warned that these non-scientific requirements threaten the sustainability of the citrus industry, jeopardize farmers’ livelihoods and may ultimately reduce supply to consumer markets.
The WCO concerns focus primarily on plant protection products and maximum residue levels that exceed national and international rules. According to the WCO, these measures contradict scientific evidence and undermine the role of and confidence in the rule of competent authorities.
“While citrus growers comply with national and international regulations to ensure safe and nutritious fruit, retailers are increasingly enforcing private rules that exceed legal requirements andmight impact volume and competitiveness of trade,” said Boitshoko Ntshabele of South Africa’s Citrus Growers Association. “This might limit the efficiency of the necessary treatment to mitigate the evolution of pestsand disease as a result of climate change.”
Key risks and challenges are highlighted in a WCO position paper that was presented at the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid. The position paper focuses on the following concerns:
- Bans on legally approved active substances —threatening pest and disease control
- Imposing stricter maximum residue limits than those set by law — leading to resistance build-up, food waste and economic losses
- Restrictions on the number of residues — making integrated pest management unworkable, reducing resilience against climate change and increasing waste
The WCO urges retailers to refrain from setting private food-safety criteria beyond legal frameworks.
WCO President Badr Bennis of Les Domaines Agricoles in Morocco said between 45 and 50 million tons of citrus are producedannually on 10 million hectares around the world. Citrus is traded globally each year with a value of over $50 billion.
The WCO is a global platform for dialogue and action that brings together citrus-producing countries.
Source: World Citrus Organisation
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