Department of Plant Protection (Ministry of National Food Security and Research) Friday clarified that there is nothing as such as impositioning any ban by European Union (EU) on mango exports from Pakistan for 05 years as published in some sections of the media.
According to the statement issued by the ministry said that due to high number of interceptions in European Union (EU) the Indian Mango was banned for imports in European Union (EU) in 2013 and Pakistan being ranked second with 237 interceptions was given a warning with a maximum limit of 5 interceptions to prevent the ban on all agricultural commodities.
On negotiations through a video conference with the European Union (EU) by Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), Ministry of Commerce (MINCOM), Department of Plant Protection (DPP), Pakistan Fruit Vegetable Association (PFVA) and other stake holders, the European Union (EU) relaxed the conditions, the department added.
The maximum limit of five interceptions for mango or any other agricultural commodity will only be for the remaining season and next year the count will start from Zero and there shall be no ban on exports from Pakistan.
Before placing the restriction for any season,European Union (EU) will have a video conference with the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) for negotiations / relaxation if required.
This year Pakistan had 3 interceptions due to presence of fruit flies in mango consignments, whereas India had 5 by now. The other mango exporting countries viz Burkino Faso, Cameroon, Cote D I’voire and Mali had 15,10,10 and 09 respectively.
The department desires to clarify the misunderstanding relating to ban on mango exports to European Union (EU) created due to ignorance or ill information at various levels.
