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EU may impose curbs on Indian spices imports

KOCHI: The European Union (EU) will enact a new regulation enforcing additional level of official controls at the designated points of imports in the European Union, according to information reaching Spices Board here.

This is “due to known or emerging risk as foreseen in the Article 15.5 of Regulation 882/2004,” points out an official communication here.

New controls, reported to be proposed by the EU due to finding of aflatoxin beyond permissible limits in many export consignments from India, will create difficulties in exports to the EU.

There is every chance of the EU tightening restrictions through imposing compulsory tests at the entry point. This can severely affect export of chilli/chilli products and turmeric powder from India to the EU.

It may be recalled that the quality enforcement regime put in place by the Board has projected the commitment to quality which was acclaimed by the buying countries. The presence of aflatoxin beyond permissible limits in certain consignments of other spices has tarnished the Indian image, notes the communication. Exporters have to ensure that only consignments well within the prescribed limits of aflatoxin are exported. In many cases, consignments, which had three to four ppb aflatoxin when tested at the entry port in EU countries, had aflatoxin above five ppb. As such instances will lead to serious consequences — destruction, rejection, recalls and further curbs — the Board has urged exporters to be vigilant and to take alert measures while exporting consignments free of aflatoxin.

The EU authorities propose to check 50 per cent of all the export consignments of pepper (black and white), ginger, nutmeg, chilli/chilli products and turmeric powder from India. Such compulsory detention and check of 50 per cent consignment will be detrimental to the country’s exports to the EU, says the Spices Board.

In a letter addressed to the exporters, the Spices Board had directed the exporters to ensure that all export consignments of spices to the EU do conform to the specified quality parameters, after subjecting it to required tests. The EU may exempt India from the proposed additional controls, if they find that all spices consignments from India are free of aflatoxin, Sudan and other contaminants. Exporters have been requested to take pro active measures in this regard to successfully face the challenges posed by the EU. The Indian spice industry has world class quality infrastructure and can conform to the most stringent quality parameters imposed by the EU. By exporting aflatoxin free consignments, the EU can be dissuaded from resorting to further controls that may hamper exports, adds the Board communication.

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