EU bans Indian milk import

Due to non compliance with EU requirements, European Commission has banned the import of select product from India. Auditory measures are to be implemented to measure improvement will take place in September.

After mangoes, the European Union (EU) has now prohibited the import of milk and milk products for human consumption and certain fruits and vegetables from India. The reason behind the ban is non-compliance with EU requirements.

The ban also extends to other fruits and vegetables from India with effect from April 26, 2014 till December 31, 2015 for interception of harmful organisms.

The Centre is in the process of negotiating a bilateral Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) with the EU, covering a number of tracks, ranging from trade in goods to services.

"In the light of concerted efforts on India's part, Food and Veterinary office of European Commission has agreed to send an audit team in September to verify improvement in plant health controls and certification system with regard to fruits and vegetables," said Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has already asked all exporters to route shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables through APEDA-approved pack houses, where it would be monitored by plant quarantine per- sonnel. In a report to the EU, APEDA informed them about the new development, wherein “an exclusive area for inspection and certification work has been established at the Mumbai airport from where major export to the EU countries takes place.” Vegetable exports to the EU had fallen 30 per cent in the first four months of the current financial year.