Bangladesh has been placed seventh in the European Commission’s “Non-EU Trade Alert List” which was prepared on the basis of frequency of consignment interceptions by the EU member states for organisms harmful to plants.
During a 12-month period, the EU authorities intercepted a number of 112 Bangladeshi consignments carrying green chilli, korola, oranges, grapefruit lemons, spinach and spices. The European Commission published the report yesterday which considered the period from November 1, 2013 to 31 October, 2014.
The Commission has already sent a letter to the commerce ministry urging to take action against the local authorities concerned who approved those 112 consignments, Additional Commerce Secretary Showkat Ali Waris told Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
He said they were now looking into the matter. Ghana topped the list among 43 countries with highest 296 consignments intercepted while Japan was at the bottom with only six consignments blocked for harmful organisms.
Meanwhile, the betel leaf cultivation monitoring committee of agriculture ministry started visiting betel leaf gardens to ensure harmful bacteria-free production.
The monitoring team will see cultivation process there and work out a long-term method for producing safe betel leaf in a bid to satisfy EU authorities.
In July 2013, the EU countries banned Bangladeshi betel leaf after detection of Salmonella, a virus injurious to health.
The monitoring team will see cultivation process there and work out a long-term method for producing safe betel leaf in a bid to satisfy EU authorities.
Bangladesh’s export of fresh fruits and vegetable to the EU countries had hit snags in May last year if the authorities do not stop export of betel leaf infected with harmful Salmonella Bacterium.
Bangladesh may lose Tk15bn earnings if the EU imposes a ban on import of fresh fruits and vegetables, sources concerned said.