- India has said that EU’s unilateral decision to ban import of 4 Indian vegetables after it was found to be infested with fruit flies, including Alphonso mangoes of which India is the biggest producer, is premature, shocking and has asked for the withdrawal of the same.
- EU’s agency on sanitary and phyto-sanitary, and India’s National Plant Protection Organisation and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority have reached an understanding, and India has initiated the process to develop proper mechanisms in matters related to exports.
- A specific procedure involving pack-home before shipment will suffice and has mandated strong (SPS) sanitary and phyto-sanitary (related with plants and animals) standards whose norms are enforced by a state-run regulatory body.
- Consignments of mangoes in 2013 were also found to be infested specifically those involving shrimps. Steps to be taken by India:
- Employ fool-proof mechanisms for examination and certification of export commodities and establish reliable reputation in phyto-sanitation (sanitation in plants and animals) in the export market.
- Strengthen its bargaining position by elevating export standards.
- Gear up farmers, packers and exporters of agri-commodities to meet the quality and safety requirements of the world.
- EU should:
- Avoid enforcement of decisions which are touted as unfair and could potentially damage indo-US trade and continue the ongoing negotiations on broad-based India-EU trade and investment agreement on the premise of trust and understanding.
- Consider Indian domestic concerns and invoke the necessary correctives after appropriately assessing the risks.
- Not see this as a leveraging factor in the context of talks of a Free Trade Agreement.
- Read at:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/sour-turn-in-indiaeu-trade/article5967957.ece
- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/eu-ban-on-indian-mangoes-unilateral-commerce-secretary/article5967949.ece
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