Ban on European imports of India's Alphonso mango is drawing anger from British Indians. Britain, the former colonial power in India, has the EU's largest Indian diaspora community. British Indians number around 1.4 million out of a total population of some 60 million.
Citing pressure from disappointed constituents, British lawmaker Keith Vaz raised the ban issue in the House of Commons last week. Keith Vaz said British citizens consumed 12 million mangoes last year alone and predicted the ban, due to run to December 2015, could cost British businesses over £10 million ($16.8 million).
“The EU has treated an important trading ally, which represents a sixth of the population of the globe, with disrespect,” said Vaz, of the opposition Labour party, in a special debate. “The Brussels sprouts have decided to take on the mighty mango. I know whose side I am on.”
A petition to the British government urging a reversal of the ban on Alphonso mangoes, first grafted in Portugal's Indian colonies in the 1500s, has attracted over 2,300 signatures.
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to raise the issue with his new Indian counterpart, Shri Narendra Modi following his party's landslide win in the general election.
Some, including Vaz, also argue that the issue could have wider repercussions for trade relations with India at a crucial point.
Talks between India and the EU on free trade have been dragging on since 2007 and India has threatened to take the EU to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the ban, warning it could have “very negative fallout”.
The embargo came into force on May 1 after many shipments were found to contain fruit flies.
Meanwhile it is learnt that Pakistani mango growers are hoping to take advantage of the ban and export more mangoes to EU market. It is also learnt that mango farmers in Pakistan are encouraged to use new methods (like- hot water treatment of mango, insect sex-trap etc)for protecting mangoes from hazardous the insects.
According to respective official figures, Pakistan last year exported around 100,000 tonnes of mangoes for a revenue of $48.6 million over India's 56,000 tonnes for $44.6 million.
Citing pressure from disappointed constituents, British lawmaker Keith Vaz raised the ban issue in the House of Commons last week. Keith Vaz said British citizens consumed 12 million mangoes last year alone and predicted the ban, due to run to December 2015, could cost British businesses over £10 million ($16.8 million).
British HC in Delhi tells MPs that British PM wants " to be part of the solution" re mango ban #mangoes
— Keith Vaz MP (@Keith_VazMP) May 14, 2014
“The EU has treated an important trading ally, which represents a sixth of the population of the globe, with disrespect,” said Vaz, of the opposition Labour party, in a special debate. “The Brussels sprouts have decided to take on the mighty mango. I know whose side I am on.”
A petition to the British government urging a reversal of the ban on Alphonso mangoes, first grafted in Portugal's Indian colonies in the 1500s, has attracted over 2,300 signatures.
Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to raise the issue with his new Indian counterpart, Shri Narendra Modi following his party's landslide win in the general election.
Some, including Vaz, also argue that the issue could have wider repercussions for trade relations with India at a crucial point.
Talks between India and the EU on free trade have been dragging on since 2007 and India has threatened to take the EU to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the ban, warning it could have “very negative fallout”.
The embargo came into force on May 1 after many shipments were found to contain fruit flies.
Meanwhile it is learnt that Pakistani mango growers are hoping to take advantage of the ban and export more mangoes to EU market. It is also learnt that mango farmers in Pakistan are encouraged to use new methods (like- hot water treatment of mango, insect sex-trap etc)for protecting mangoes from hazardous the insects.
According to respective official figures, Pakistan last year exported around 100,000 tonnes of mangoes for a revenue of $48.6 million over India's 56,000 tonnes for $44.6 million.
