The European Union (EU) is set to lift the ban on Indian Alphonso mango imports, paving the way to resume trade in the UK and other member states.
EU has suspended mango imports from India in May last year after finding fruit flies in consignments, BBC reported.
The EU Plant health Standing Committee voted in favour to lift the ban on Tuesday, according to The Times of India.
UK Natural Environment minister Lord de Mauley was quoted by BBC as saying: "We have been working closely with our Indian and European counterparts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and I am pleased that trade in mangoes will resume.
"Today's decision demonstrates the marked improvements India has made to its export system and it is important that these standards are maintained so that trade can continue and UK plant health remains protected."
Federation of Indian Export Organisations president M Rafeeque Ahmed said that due to the ban Indian exports of fresh fruit fell from $307.4m between April and November in 2013, to $291.4m in the same period last year.
Image: EU has suspended mango imports from India in May last year after finding fruit flies in consignments. Photo: courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / freedigitalphotos.
