Indian Mango Imports Banned

The European Commission has banned Indian mango imports from Thursday for fear of plant pests threatening European salad crops. The UK reportedly imports nearly 16 million mangoes each year, worth £6m, from India.

Monica Bhandari, from wholesalers Fruity Fresh, called for an “urgent” reversal of the ban and also filed an e-petition on the UK government’s website. She told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One program that EU should tackle the problem using the vapour heat treatment employed by Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

The Commission said that the pests were found in 207 consignments of fruits and vegetables from India imported into the EU in 2013. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the pests posed no risk to public health but insects such as the tobacco whitefly, which can carry over 100 harmful viruses, could threaten tomato and cucumber crops. UK said that it is “working closely” with India and the European Commission to resolve the issue and end the ban

Infoeditor