Fresh fruit and vegetables exported from India to the European market will from next month onwards have to be routed through government recognized packhouses, amid concerns about the safety of some fresh produce items.
Freshfruitportal.com reported that from April 1, all fresh produce destined for European countries from India must be checked via Agricultural & Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA) packhouses, where the fruit and vegetables will be go through vigorous phytosanitary testing.
The new legislation has been laid down by APEDA, which is an Indian government office connected with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“In response to the observations of EU, NPPO India has assured the EU that India is fully committed to provide safe and pest free export of fresh fruit and vegetables to the EU and all necessary steps are being taken in this direction," APEDA said in a statement.
It comes in response to warnings issued by authorities in both Australia and the European Union, to Indian exporters over deteriorating quality of milk and its derivatives as well as fruit & veg.
“The European Union has raised serious concerns regarding interceptions of harmful organisms in fresh fruit and vegetables export to EU and have threatened to take further stern action (including ban) unless the situation improves,” the organization said.
According to business-standard.com, India has steadily increased its fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the EU in the past three years. From the level of 1.29 billion rupees worth of shipments in 2010-11, India’s exports of fresh fruits and vegetables shot up sharply to 1.65 billion rupees in 2012-13. India is estimated to surpass 2 million rupees during the current financial year in terms of fresh fruit and vegetable exports.
