Groundnut Exports To Eu May Stop

Groundnut exports to the European Union (EU) countries are likely to come to a grinding halt due to the EU commission's efforts to pass a legislation binding on all EU nations to bring down the aflatoxin levels to a very low level - 10 parts per billion for consumer ready products, and a more stringent sampling plan. All the major exporting countries like the US, Argentina, China and India have stoutly opposed the move by the EU commission. A spokesperson of Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exporters Association said that the EU Commission's move is seen as arbitrary and hasty without taking into consideration the genuine concerns. None of the European countries produce groundnuts, and such import restrictions on a commodity for which they have to fully depend on other origins will prove to be counter-productive, the spokesperson added.