8230; But NTBs may restrict passage

While the export of Indian mangoes to the US is being seen as a major breakthrough, non-tariff barriers in the form of mandatory radiation tests for each mango exported from India may pose a major roadblock and seriously impair all efforts to bolster bilateral trade. Close on the heels of US trade representative USTR Susan Schwab8217;s declaration that the export of mangoes from India is imminent, a FICCI delegation of industry representatives here met deputy USTR Karan Bhatia and assistant USTR Doughlas Hartwick and called for a negotiation of the standards of mangoes that can be exported.

8220;The radiation process is a costly process and acts as a non-tariff barrier NTB. The standards being set by the US are not based on scientific risk assessment but driven by technology. As soon as there is a technology for more stringent analysis, the bar is raised higher 8212; irrespective of how much harm that is actually liable to cause,8221; said FICCI general secretary Amit Mitra. The probability of existence of weevils fruit flies, for which the radiation process is carried out, is just one in a million. The industry captains pointed out that establishing just one Irradiation Centre complying with the US requirements would cost 82,000, a very high sum that would have to be borne by Indian farmers. This would not only increase the cost of Indian mangoes and lower their competitiveness but also restrict exports to a 2.5 lakh tonnes market. Issues like non-acceptance of the group certification scheme by the US, withdrawal of the general scheme of preferences for gems and jewellery, mutual recognition agreements and Turkey8217;s demand for special sectoral for textiles were also raised by the industry team.