The European Union (EU) has prohibited import from India of five fruits and vegetables which include mango, effective from 01st May, 2014 on account of interceptions of export consignments not compliant with EU Phytosanitary regulations.

The Government of India has taken several measures including enhancement of capacity and numbers of inspecting staff and improvement in infrastructure, implementation of a Standard Operating Procedure to guarantee safe exports and routing of all export consignments of perishables to EU through approved pack houses from 01.04.2014 to enable better inspection and certification.

India has not only informed the EU regarding implementation of these control systems but have also formally conveyed our disagreement on the temporary restriction imposed by the EU.

The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha today.

Import prohibition on fresh fruit prompts strengthened phytosanitary controls and routing through approved pack houses and formal dispute raised. EU prohibition on import of specified Indian fruits, including Alphonso mangoes, was instituted due to interceptions of consignments not compliant with phytosanitary regulations. The Government of India enhanced inspection capacity and infrastructure, implemented a Standard Operating Procedure for exports, and mandated routing of perishables to the EU through approved pack houses to enable inspection and certification, while formally notifying the EU and registering disagreement with the temporary restriction.