European delegation scheduled to visit New Delhi this month for a review
The European Union will review the ban on seafood imports from India on November 15. An EU delegation is expected to visit India towards the end of this month to take a decision in this regard, said sources.
The EU had recommended a ban for an unlimited period after a visit by an EU delegation which inspected the processing units in June 1997.
The team found that these farms did not meet stipulated international standards. The team indicated that import of marine products from India would not be allowed unless the units met the standards for general hygiene set by EU.
Subsequently, the commerce ministry identified 18 seafood exporting units which met the hygiene standards. In a letter to EU vice-president, commerce minister BB Ramaiah urged him to continue import from these units.
He assured India would suspend export by the units that fail to meet the requirements. However, a total ban was imposed by the union.
The ban will affect exports to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore annually. EU accounts for almost 30 per cent of Indian seafood exports.
The ministry set up a two-tier inspection committee to look into the issue and urged units to improve the conditions. It also asked Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to identify other units that met the standards. It is expected that the blanket ban will be lifted.
Meanwhile, the US is planning to ban import of carpets from India through a new legislation to be passed by the Congress.
Diplomatic sources in the capital said no decision had been taken yet though the demand for a ban on carpet imports from India and Pakistan has been in the air for some time. Human rights organisations in the US allege that the carpet units in these countries employ child labour.
