While
a fightback has been launched, many British Indians are resigned to going
without their favourite Alphonsos for now, while the businesses who supply them
are losing out financially.
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Ads by Google (London, May 19:)
A ban on European imports
of India’s Alphonso mango — prized for its perfumed aroma and buttery flesh —
is drawing anger from British Indians, who say the move is unfair and deprives
them of one of summer’s sweetest flavours.
The “king of fruits” and
other Indian mangoes were banned by the European Union from May 1 after fruit
flies which officials said could threaten crops were found in shipments last
year.
While a fightback has been
launched, many British Indians are resigned to going without their favourite
Alphonsos for now, while the businesses who supply them are losing out
financially.
Ahmed Khan, working on his
stall in Tooting, south London, an area with a large south Asian population,
said the move would hit him hard.
“It’s not fair — it’s going
to mean we miss out on half our mangoes this year, half our business,” Khan,
55, told AFP.
“Life is too short for
politicians to interfere —— I hear they are now exporting Alphonsos to
Pakistan, because there is a glut and they are very cheap.”
Rohit Shah, of nearby
Bhavin’s grocers, said the Alphonso, which can be eaten alone or used in
everything from lassis to chutney, had no rival in terms of taste.
“It’s the smoothness of the
flesh and the unique flavour —— the flesh is fibreless which is what makes them
so good,” said Shah, 62.
“Even during the time of
the British Empire they said they were the best.”
Britain, the former
colonial power in India, has the EU’s largest Indian diaspora community.
British Indians number around 1.4 million out of a total population of some 60
million.
Citing pressure from
disappointed constituents, one lawmaker raised the ban in the House of Commons
last week.
Keith Vaz said British
citizens consumed 12 million mangoes last year alone and predicted the ban, due
to run to December 2015, could cost British businesses over $16.8 million.
“The EU has treated an
important trading ally, which represents a sixth of the population of the
globe, with disrespect,” said Vaz, of the opposition Labour party, in a special
debate.
(This article was published
on May 19, 2014)
Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/19-May-2014/pakistani-mango-growers-slice-in-to-india-market
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