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Now, EU expresses concern over Nagpur oranges

Dismayed over the presence of harmful organisms and pesticides in some of the cartons containing these oranges, the EU has now threatened that if things go on like this they will ‘ban import’ of such products from India and take necessary action as per international law.

It was found that Indian exporters failed to adhere to the required quality as per specific international standards in retaining most of the natural qualities and freshness. At present consignments of Nagpur Mandarin Oranges are being exported to neighbouring countries by road without cooling or any other treatment. For distant markets of Europe, the Gulf and South East Asia, export is done through refrigerated container ships.

‘This is a serious concern as we have noticed harmful organisms in fresh fruits and vegetables exported to EU and we are bound to take action including ‘ban’ unless the situation improves,’ the EU letter reads.

On 18 April, Millennium Post reported that EU is angry with the quality of fruits and vegetables and have threatened to ‘ban’ Indian products.

Now, the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) has assured the EU that India is fully committed to exporting safe and pest-free fruits and vegetables and all necessary steps are being taken in this direction.

‘We have already taken some firm steps and have decided that the export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the EU would be routed through Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) approved pack houses where inspections, examinations, testing of export consignments will be conducted at approved pack houses under the supervision of Plant Quarantine personnel,’ a APEDA source said.

He added NPPO will not issue ‘phytosanitary certificate’ for export consignments which do not meet the above requirement. ‘We have already conducting extensive sensitisation programmes and raids to apprise the traders about the impending scenario,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Australian department of agriculture too has informed that Indian exporters of processed food products, especially those containing milk, are not following the relevant regulation of imports into Australia.

The issue over quality has been lingering for the last couple of years. ‘Those who are in export are advised to strictly adhere to import laws of Australia before commencing exports of processed food products,’ Sunil Kumar, general manager, APEDA, said in a circular.
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