Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Standing Committee Chairman Ahmad Jawad has said this is unfair by the EU authorities that they graded Pakistani mangoes with red and yellow cards despite the fact that Pakistani exporters tried their best to come up to the requirements by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO).
The European Union must realise that Pakistani mango is a famous fruit in their respective member countries due to its rich aroma and unique taste. “And if they impose strict conditions on our mangoes further that would affect the romance of European people for this fruit.”
Jawad said now the European Union may relax the requirements for Pakistani mangoes in the wake of hectic exercise here from the last two years; as mango was the prime product of Pakistan and the country could earn precious foreign exchange through its export and the varsity was already working on projects for boosting mango production and improving fruit quality.
FPCCI Standing Committee Chief further asked the mango exporters and growers for hot water treatment of the fruit to protect it from the fruit fly also further asked them to acquire quality examination certificate before exporting any vegetable or fruit.
However, after rising number of complaints of fruit fly in Pakistani mangos by the EU last year, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research decided to allow exports only to selected mango orchards, certified/registered by the ministry after confirming that it is free of fruit fly. In addition, hot water treatment was also declared mandatory to ensure quality export to the EU countries.
In this regard mango prices of certified orchards are some 50 to 75 percent higher than others which affect the moral of other farmers. Therefore, we are seeking export of mangos without condition of certified orchards to the EU countries; he added.
Jawad also mentioned Pakistan was one of the leading suppliers of mango to the EU countries and during 2013, overall some 15,000 tons of mangoes was exported to Europe. Later Pakistan’s exports declined drastically due to strict conditions imposed by European countries on import of mangos from Pakistan. During last year, after the imposition of conditions by the ministry, some 6,000 tons mangos were exported against 4,000 tons in the previous year. This year, exporters have set a mango export target of around 10,000 tons to Europe, he added.
He said after the condition of hot water treatment, there is no need for registration of mango orchards as after the treatment, fruit fly becomes zero.
Why should the EU relax its stringent quality and phytosanitary requirements for Pakistan? If we cannot adhere to their regulations (as other countries can) then we have no right to ask for special favours. These ill-informed and publicity seeking statements from responsible people has to be avoided as it makes us a laughing stock ….
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