A political coalition from Spain's Valencia region has tabled a motion in the European Parliament that would require South African citrus imports to enter through a sole port, according to website Elmundo.es. 

Coalició Compromís requested the European Union's Commission for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food make a series of modifications to the recently signed economic deal with the Southern African Development Community.

One of these modifications would restrict imports to either the port of Valencia or Castellon, which the political entity said was due to 'economic and phytosanitary' reasons.

The chosen port would reportedly have a team of phytosanitary inspectors specialized in citrus black spot disease (CBS), and would test a higher proportion of fruit than required.

Coalició Compromís also demanded European Union phytosanitary inspectors be present in the ports of departure to check for CBS-infected fruit, according to the story.

In addition, it wants the European Commission to block a move that would extend South Africa's reduced-tariff access to the market.

Under previous regulations South African citrus exporters enjoyed tariff-access until Oct. 15 every year, but an amendment would see tariffs reduced for the following six weeks on an annual basis until they are eliminated in 2025.

Coalició Compromís was quoted as saying the new agreement "puts the future of Spanish citrus grower at risk".

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