The European Union has decided to lift a ban on Indian mangoes which is expected to be implemented in a month’s time after the new legislation has been formally adopted and published by the European Commission (EC).
On Tuesday, the EC voted in favour of lifting the ban imposed on mangoes last May after fruit-flies were found in some consignments. The decision was taken following improvements brought about by India in its packaging and inspection process.
After the unanimous vote, the EC said that there had been significant improvements in India's mango export system.
Import ban, however, has not been lifted on the other four vegetables including bitter gourd, taro, egg plant and snake gourd.
“This is great news for the UK-India and EU-India trade relationship and especially for Indian exporters and UK consumers. We are pleased to have played an important role in bringing the ban to an end,” a release from the British High Commission in India said.
The ban was imposed for 20 months till December 2015.
India has now put in place stringent packaging and inspection norms that will ensure that all consignments are free of any contamination.
It is now mandatory for exports of all perishable items to the EU to be routed through pack-houses certified by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under the vigilance of plant protection inspectors.