EU Ban on Indian Mango Imports Comes into Force

02 May 2014 ---An EU-wide ban on Indian mangoes has come into force, resulting in a possible cease on imports until December 2015. Shipments of mangoes were suspended after some were found to be infested with fruit flies.

The ban, which also includes aubergines and two types of squash, includes the popular and premium Alphonso mangoes which are currently in season. Authorities in Brussels decided the ban should come into force after it found consignments infested with fruit flies, which it feared could damage European salad crops.

Europe reportedly imports around £2.4bn ($4bn) worth of fruit, vegetables and other agricultural produce from India each year.  In the UK, around 8.5% of all its mangoes are imported from India.

The ban has triggered a petition in the UK, which has reportedly been signed by more than 1,400 people as well as several UK members of parliament (MPs). Those who have signed the petition are arguing that the ban will have a devastating impact on local growers, EU businesses and trade relationships with India.

The petition, which is logged on the UK Government’s e-petition site, was originally submitted by Monica Bhandari of wholesaler Fruity Fresh in London. It states “the ban is excessively severe and a disproportionate step”. The petition also notes “the ban will severely impact importers and distributors in the UK and for some it will render their entire trade unfeasible. For many growers and exporters in India the bran means the end of their business. Growing for the season has commenced and so vast quantities of mangoes will be destroyed.”

It also states that proven treatments have not been considered before the outright ban took place. Treatments suggested include hot water treatment and irradiation, which is approved for import into the USA, and vapour heat treatments.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said the pests posed no risk to public health but that insects can carry viruses that could threaten crops, such as tomato and cucumber ones.