Grapes worth billions of rupees stuck in European market ports

PUNE - The European Union (EU) authorities have reportedly rejected a 52,000-tonne export consignment of Indian grapes, resulting in grapes worth Rs 300 crore stuck at different ports in European market.

“It’s the responsibility of National Research Council (NRC) and even the exporters to inform the government and APEDA, that what changes are happening in Europe,” said Anil Dava, an APEDA official.

The grapes are docked at various European ports, after EU authorities said the consignment was too toxic to be allowed in. The Union Ministry of Commerce and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority (APEDA) are looking into the matter.

There are reports after several rounds of talks; there has been some progress.

“We had never debated on the fact that the chemicals which are used in India should be tested or not. We clearly follow to the last word of the APEDA. As a citizen and as an exporter there was nothing else we could do,” said Ashok Motiyani, an exporter.

“Even after following all the norms, the rejection has come, so, all the blame should be taken by those, who made the Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP),” he added. (ANI)