US almond imports to be allowed, for now

India has granted short-term relief to almonds exporters in the United States of America.

US authorities will work closely with the government of India and Washington agencies to arrive at a long-term solution to issues related to India's new regulation on plant quarantine measures.

The Indian government has notified that almond export consignments, already shipped or to be shipped from USA, before May 4, 2004, may be allowed plant quarantine clearance on the basis of phosphine fumigation at their end and inspection or methyl bromide treatment on arrival in India.

This will be applicable to all consignments of almonds shipped from USA on or before the declared date.

On January 1, 2004, India implemented new import procedures and plant protection and quarantine requirements, which, among other things, stalled US almond exports to India, valued at $81 million in 2003.

US authorities took up the matter with Indian ministries, complaining the Indian rules were not in compliance with WTO notification procedures and offering to consult on the new regulations.

Subsequently, India notified the new regulation to WTO on March 4, 2004, but did not suspend application of the rules, which the US had requested.

A USDA technical team held discussions with the ministries of commerce and agriculture on March 11 and 12, and the short-term solution was reached at these meetings.

According to US authorities, technically this letter is a continuation of pre-January 1 procedures.

According to the ministry of agriculture, all imports of dried fruits and nuts, including almonds, were inspected and fumigated with methyl bromide under a 1927 regulation.