India looks set to resume mango exports to the European Union, however, recent import bans on a number of other horticultural products from the South Asian nation are likely to remain in place, according to Indian news site Live Mint.
The move comes after officials from the EU’S Food and Veterinary Office inspected Indian orchards and packing facilities in September last year.
“They have communicated to us that they are going to lift the ban on Alphonso mangoes before the next season, but lifting the ban on other vegetables may take more time,” a government official told Live Mint on the condition of anonymity.
Market access for Indian mangoes, aubergines, taro, bitter and snake gourds was suspended by EU member state’s in May last year. Indications at that time were that the ban would remain in place until December this year.
The premise for the ban was several apparent breaches of the EU’s phytosanitary import requirements, with the European Commission claiming pests not native to the EU were found in 207 consignments of fresh fruits and vegetables from India during 2013.
India has since introduced a mandatory inspection process for fresh produce consignments bound for the EU. This, along with favourable reports from the Food and Veterinary Office’s inspection, had prompted homes that the ban on all five horticultural products would be lifted.
“We are surprised on their (EU) stand on the other vegetables and we will soon take up the matter again with them as they looked satisfied when they visited our facilities,” the unnamed government official was quoted by Live Mint.
