European Union bans Indian Alphonso mangoes and four other vegetables from May 1

European Union has imposed a temporary ban on the import of Alphonso mangoes and 4 other vegetables from India effective from May 1, 2014. The move by EU has led to protests as of the Indian community, lawmakers and traders. The temporary ban by EU comprises Alphonso mangoes, eggplant, taro plant, snake gourd and bitter gourd, and prohibits the import to undertake the deficiency in the sanitary certification system of such products exported to the EU.

Why EU has banned Indian Mangoes and 4 vegetables?

The recent decision by the grouping’s Standing Committee on Plant Health came after 207 consignments of fruits and vegetables from India imported into the EU in 2013 were found to be contaminated by pests such as fruit flies and other quarantine pests.

The UK imports nearly 16 million mangoes from India and the market for the fruit is worth nearly GBP 6 million a year. A revision of the ban will take place before December 31, 2015.

“India is a key trading partner and these temporary restrictions affect a tiny percentage of the successful business we conduct with them. We are working closely with our Indian and European counterparts to resolve the issue and resume trade in these select products as soon as possible,” he said.

UK’s environment minister Lord de Mauley also waded into the controversy, stressing that his department is working on lifting the ban as soon as possible.

Vegetable banned by EU:

Vegetables: Baingan   (Eggplant), Arbi  (Taro plant ), Karela (Bitter Gourd), Chichinda (Snake Gourd)

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