Indian-origin lawmakers hail EU decision to lift ban on mango

Two prominent Indian-origin lawmakers in the UK today welcomed the European Union's decision to lift a seven-month-old import ban on mangoes from India that would allow Britishers to relish the 'king of fruits'.
"I am delighted that the Commission and all EU member states who voted in favour have acted to end a ban which has caused so many problems for businesses in the UK and India," Keith Vaz, Chairman of Britain's Home Affairs Committee, said today.
Vaz, who played a key role in the campaign for lifting the ban, said, "Many people have been very supportive of the campaign, and my thanks go to the team from Fruity Fresh (Western) Ltd for working so hard on this issue for many months.

"Prime Minister (David) Cameron was also very helpful, and I am pleased I can now keep my promise to deliver another basket of Alphonso mangoes to 10 Downing Street," he said.
British Prime Minister's UK-India Diaspora Champion, Priti Patel, also welcomed the decision.
Patel, who worked with the UK Government and lobbied to European Commission to reverse the ban, said, "The ban on mangoes from India has been devastating for many Indian businesses in the UK and growers in India.

"It has also deprived the Indian Diaspora and the rest of the UK of being able to enjoy great tasting mangoes. I have been working closely with colleagues in the government to secure the lifting of the ban and today's news is welcome," she said.

"We all, however, now need to get behind Alphonso mangoes to ensure that they once again have the demand needed to support growers and businesses trading with them," Patel said.
Referring to the process used by the EU to impose the ban, she said, "Many Indians in the UK were left confused and disappointed by the way the European Union and this unelected and unaccountable Commissioners were able to arbitrarily ban the import of these mangoes.
"This case has highlighted the need for the EU to be reformed and for voters to have a referendum on our membership of the EU, which is something that only a Conservative Government can deliver," Patel said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also welcomed the move.
Imports will resume once the new EU legislation has been formally adopted and published by the European Commission, in approximately a month's time.
Temporary restrictions were put in place by the EU Commission after plant pests that threaten the UK's 321 million pounds salad crop industry were repeatedly found in shipments from India.