UK-based mango importers said they were encouraged following a meeting with Government officials on Wednesday.

Lord de Mauley, a Minister with Britain’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), hosted the meeting with the Fresh Produce Consortium, representatives from the Asian Business Association, CII and Deputy High Commissioner Virendra Paul, as well as regulators from British agencies to discuss developments since the European Union imposed a ban on five Indian fruits and vegetables, including mangoes from May 1.

The EU’s Food and Veterinary Office is set to conduct its next visit to India, due to take place in September, following previous visits in April and December. “It was very clear that while DEFRA can’t change anything – with just one vote at the commission – they have indicated they will help in anyway they can,” said Monica Bandhari of importer Fresh Fruity Ltd, who has been one of the lead campaigners against the ban, following the meeting. This included DEFRA’s offer to provide technical advice and training for Indian authorities and exporters for the necessary EU certification, and facilitating discussions between the European Commission and Indian regulators. A follow-up round table will take place in July.

“The intention is to work with all the stakeholders to get the processes right so the ban imposed till December 15 is lifted soon,” said Lord de Mauley in a statement following the meeting. With over 90 per cent of the EU’s mango imports from India, the UK has been the EU country most affected by the ban with industry bodies and politicians expressing concerns about the damaging economic impact of a lost mango season particularly on small and medium-sized businesses.

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