Review likelier now on EU ban of Alphonso import

A three-member EU delegation inspected various facilities in a week-long tour and expressed satisfaction over the improvement in export units

There is some cheer on the possibility of an end to the months-old ban on Alphonso mango export to Europe.

A three–member European Union delegation had inspected various packhouse facilities in a week-long tour and expressed satisfaction over the improvement in export units.

Effective May 1, the European Union (EU) had imposed a ban till December 2015 on their members' import of Alphonso -- and bitter gourd, eggplant, taro and snake gourd. This was after discovering fungus, contamination by fruit flies and banned pests in past consignments.

The EU is not a big market for India’s fruit and vegetable export but a ban on any agricultural commodity from one region poses a spillover risk for other commodities and from other countries.

“It was a routine visit of the EU delegation. They inspected packhouses in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kochi and expressed satisfaction over the improvements made since the ban,” said Santosh Sarangi, chairman of the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).

Adding: “They might recommend lifting of the ban. We will come to know their intention only after the closing and wrap-up meeting, presently scheduled for Friday.”

According to trade sources, our annual export of these banned commodities to the EU comprised around Rs 150 crore.

An advisory issued to exporters and packhouses of fruit and vegetables on March 14 and April 11, respectively, warned that the EU raised serious concerns regarding interception of harmful organisms in fresh fruit and vegetable export. In response, the government agency here had said we were committed to safe and pest-free export and remedial steps were being taken. Effective April 1, India has committed that export of fresh fruit and vegetables to the EU would be routed through Apeda-approved packhouses. Inspection and testing of consignments would be at approved packhouses under the supervision of personnel from the directorate of plant quarantine and protection.

Apeda has also conducted sensitisation programmes to apprise the trade on the scenario and on what to do. The EU officials' visit was an Apeda initiative.

On July 4, the EU exempted import of seeds and roots (tubers, corms) of Colocasia (taro) from the prohibition.

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