To the European Union after a gap of three years, India is re-starting the sale of curry leaves. The shipments have to go through quality checks as per EU’s demand that will be laboratory testing and Agmark certification. In 2013, from India, the EU had stopped the import of curry leaves. Because of high pesticide residue in the leaves, the import of curry leaves from India to the EU had stopped in 2013. Later the EU had declared from an authorised representative, along with the export shipments the sample test results and analysis and a health certificate should also be sent.
For the curry leaves on the quality check system, the agricultural ministry is working. Before the leaves are sent to EU, laboratory tests will be done and Agricultural practices will be improved. Regarding the standards and the Agmark certification, the ministry will soon be making announcements. For the outward appearance, cleanliness and damage caused by pests, Quality standards will be given and soon damage caused by pests and some more criteria that will be announced.
To the EU, up to 1.2 lakh kg of curry leaves was sent from India when there was export. However, by the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, warnings were given on contamination in food. As per EU Claim, there was residue from multiple pesticides in the curry leave shipments from India. Counted in ‘assorted vegetables’ group, the curry leaves are a small item of Indian export but the ministry’s fear was that the EU could ban the import of other vegetables from Indian also that were in the same package.
