KOCHI: The recently-formed Consortium of Pepper Growers Organisation on Wednesday met Spices Board of India chairman Jayathilak A and urged him to tighten pesticide residue norms as stipulated by European Union (EU) and FDA to keep food safety as per global standards.In a memorandum submitted to the Spices Board, the consortium, comprising Upasi, Campco and Kerala Farmers Federation, said black pepper imported into India mainly from Vietnam and Indonesia, were rejected in developed countries due to pesticide residue.
“Black pepper which is unsuitable for developed countries is shipped to India. We request you to tighten pesticide residue norms,” said the memorandum signed by Konkodi Padmanabha and Vishwanath K K, convener and coordinator, respectively, of the consortium.It said the Indian black pepper matches global pesticide residue norms and has a high reputation. “The mixing of imported pepper and re-exporting the mixture is putting the reputation of the world-famous Indian black pepper at stake both domestically and internationally,” the memorandum said.
The consortium asked the Spices Board to request Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to implement the norm, notify the revised norms and immediately arrange for regular inspection of samples of imported pepper to save Indian pepper growing and exporting industries. “Indian pesticide norms are much below EU and FDA norms for black pepper,” the consortium said, urging the Spices Board to keep parity in the norms.
On import of pepper from Sri Lanka, the consortium asked the Spices Board to see 54 per cent duty is applied on excess pepper exported. “Accept zero duty or 8 per cent duty only on countries excess production, which is fair for us to accept under the SAARC agreement. If Sri Lanka exports 10,000 tonnes of black pepper to India and imports 6,000 tonnes from Vietnam or other places, zero per cent or 8 per cent duty should be applied only on 4,000 tonnes which is the genuine surplus black pepper of Sri Lanka,” it said.The consortium also sought the inclusion of green pepper into Minimum Import Price.