Integration of risk management system: towards a sustained access to EU citrus market

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the stringency of sanitary and phytosanitary risk-mitigating regulations governing the international trade of agricultural products. The European Union’s sanitary and phytosanitary regulations are perceived as the most stringent regulations for international trade. To access the lucrative market, producers must comply with both sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and private standards. Developing countries are most affected by the increase in stringency and generally cannot effectively comply, consequently creating a barrier to trade. South Africa is the second largest exporter of citrus worldwide that makes this industry an important foreign exchange earner. The European Union is South Africa’s main citrus export market and requires phytosanitary measures for the pest false codling moth. Hence, the revised false codling moth risk management system was implemented to ensure compliance. The study aimed to investigate how to effectively integrate risk management into the citrus producers’ existing quality management system to enhance compliance and sustain access to the European Union citrus market. Furthermore, to identify the difficulties experienced by the producers with the integration process. A case study approach was adopted, with the quantitative research method being employed to collect data. The study was based on a literature review and a survey questionnaire as the data collection strategy. The closed-ended questionnaire sought to elicit the experiences and views of the citrus producers in the Western Cape Province about the integration process. The survey questionnaire was sent to 235 citrus representatives and the final sample size comprised 205 representatives. However, a total of 85 surveys were fully completed and 120 were partially completed. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software programme was used to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Furthermore, reliability tests (Cronbach Alpha) and a factor analysis were conducted, including a one-way ANOVA test. The study found that the majority of citrus producers reported financial and human resources challenges as the main difficulties experienced with the integration. Moreover, it was found there is no statistically significant difference between how small, medium and large-scale citrus producers viewed and experienced these difficulties. The results also found that the majority of producers perceived the detection of regulated pests (false codling moth) and exceeding the pesticide maximum residue limits as the main non-compliances when exporting citrus to the European Union market. Additionally, it was found that most of the producers reported integrating the risk management system into their daily operations, planning and recordkeeping on a strategic and operational level. This practice includes conducting internal audits, reviewing stakeholder requirements during a single audit, and reviewing how effectively the risk management system requirements have been implemented. This study recommends greater government and private sector support to citrus producers, such as the development of an annual training programme with the assistance of producers, providing training workshops and courses during the off-season to all farm workers that are linked to practical applications and the development of standardised forms to facilitate integration and enhance record keeping. Additionally, the government and private sector should provide technical support and enhance awareness regarding import requirements, especially about regulated pests and MRLs. It is further recommended that citrus producers establish an integration team and develop a well-structured integration plan based on the four principal elements of the integration process (integration strategy, level, methodology and audits). A strategic approach (top-down or systems approach) should be adopted, during which integration occurs firstly on a strategic level and then on a tactical and operational level. This process includes identifying common elements between the existing quality management system and the false codling moth risk management system and determining which elements of the risk management system can be effectively integrated and on what level integration should be achieved. The risk management system requirements that cannot be integrated should be effectively implemented separately. Further, integration methods recommended include process maps, a Plan, Do, Check and Act cycle, brainstorming and analysis of common elements.