India asks US to allow domestic labs for fruit irradiation to cut trade costs
New Delhi: India has sought permission from America home laboratories Also for irradiation of some fruits like mangoes with an aim to help exporters cut additional trade costs, an official said. Currently, exporters have to quarantine at US ports, increasing costs and uncertainty in the event of consignment rejection.
This issue was raised during the 14th India-US trade policy The forum meeting will be held here on January 12.
“We have raised this issue fruit irradiation Which they do on their shores. Let it happen here. They can allow Indian labs to do this. This will, in a way, reduce trade costs,” the official said.
According to international trade experts, many Indian products may need to be screened at US ports before entering the US market to comply with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations and prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. .
Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of think tank GTRI, said irradiating in India before exporting is a better approach because modern facilities are available in India that can meet US import requirements.
Irradiation improves the protection of fruits as it kills microorganisms. Irradiation helps eliminate pests without affecting the quality of the fruit.
Irradiation facilities are in Gujarat (Gujarat Agro Gamma Irradiation Facility, Ahmedabad), Maharashtra (Gamma Irradiation Services at Ambernath; and Agrosurge Irradiators (India) at Mumbai); Telangana (Gamma Agro Medical Processing Private Limited, Pashmilaram), and Tamil Nadu (Gamma Tech India at Kayathar).
Fruits that require irradiation include fresh mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, spices besides some handicrafts, furniture and animal products such as hides and skins.
“Indian mangoes are known for their sweetness and flavor, but they can harbor fruit flies that pose a threat to American agriculture. Irradiation helps eliminate these pests without affecting the quality of the fruit. Similarly, grapes from India can carry fruit flies and other quarantine pests,” she said.
Irradiation effectively disinfects them for safe entry into the US.
Regarding pomegranates, Srivastava said the juicy seeds of Indian pomegranates are a popular delicacy, but they can be infested by mealybugs and other insects. Irradiation ensures they reach America pest-free.
“Some Indian spices, such as coriander seeds and fenugreek, can harbor insects and fungal spores. Irradiation helps disinfect them for safe consumption in the US. The wood can harbor wood-boring beetles and other insects. “which could damage American forests. Radiation helps protect American trees from these pests,” he said.
This issue was raised during the 14th India-US trade policy The forum meeting will be held here on January 12.
“We have raised this issue fruit irradiation Which they do on their shores. Let it happen here. They can allow Indian labs to do this. This will, in a way, reduce trade costs,” the official said.
According to international trade experts, many Indian products may need to be screened at US ports before entering the US market to comply with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulations and prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases. .
Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of think tank GTRI, said irradiating in India before exporting is a better approach because modern facilities are available in India that can meet US import requirements.
Irradiation improves the protection of fruits as it kills microorganisms. Irradiation helps eliminate pests without affecting the quality of the fruit.
Irradiation facilities are in Gujarat (Gujarat Agro Gamma Irradiation Facility, Ahmedabad), Maharashtra (Gamma Irradiation Services at Ambernath; and Agrosurge Irradiators (India) at Mumbai); Telangana (Gamma Agro Medical Processing Private Limited, Pashmilaram), and Tamil Nadu (Gamma Tech India at Kayathar).
Fruits that require irradiation include fresh mangoes, grapes, pomegranates, spices besides some handicrafts, furniture and animal products such as hides and skins.
“Indian mangoes are known for their sweetness and flavor, but they can harbor fruit flies that pose a threat to American agriculture. Irradiation helps eliminate these pests without affecting the quality of the fruit. Similarly, grapes from India can carry fruit flies and other quarantine pests,” she said.
Irradiation effectively disinfects them for safe entry into the US.
Regarding pomegranates, Srivastava said the juicy seeds of Indian pomegranates are a popular delicacy, but they can be infested by mealybugs and other insects. Irradiation ensures they reach America pest-free.
“Some Indian spices, such as coriander seeds and fenugreek, can harbor insects and fungal spores. Irradiation helps disinfect them for safe consumption in the US. The wood can harbor wood-boring beetles and other insects. “which could damage American forests. Radiation helps protect American trees from these pests,” he said.
