The European Court of Justice has ruled against Spain in a dispute with the European Commission over citrus labelling requirements.
Spain had appealed a decision by the Commission requiring the mandatory labelling of citrus that has been subjected to postharvest treatments with chemicals and preservatives. It claimed it discriminated against citrus producers because other fruits undergoing similar postharvest treatments are not subject to the same requirement.
Spain argued this could put citrus at a disadvantage with other fruits and have a negative effect on consumption and sales.
Cristóbal Aguado, president of agricultural workers union Ava-Asaja, called the Commission’s decision “absurd, ridiculous and unacceptable”.
However, the court said it considered it necessary that consumers receive this information because citrus skin is often used to prepare marmalades, liqueurs and flavourings for other products.
The court also rejected Spain’s argument that the rule put the country’s exports at a competitive disadvantage to those of third countries that do not require similar labelling.
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