Freshfel Europe is urging EU Trade and Executive Commissioner Vladis Dombrosk for a quick solution on the requirement of a new Order from India requesting non-GMO certification for various fresh produce upon import. The Indian order that will take effect on March 1 will introduce unnecessary red tape with the requirement of non-GMO certification for several fresh products imported into India. None of the selected products is authorized for GMO production in the EU, making the requirement irrelevant and burdensome.

Yesterday, in a letter to the EU Trade Commissioner Vladis Dombroski, Freshfel Europe expressed deep concern about India's new requirement for non-GMO certification. India's order adopted on August 21, 2020 on "GMO-free and GMO-free certification requirements accompanied by imported food shipments" has raised concerns about bureaucracy and additional costs among EU exporters to this market in increase. The new order targets several fresh products, such as apples, beans, aubergines, melons, plums, sweet peppers and tomatoes.

India's Order on Non-GMO Certification was due to enter into force on January 1, 2021, but was postponed until March 1, 2021. The European Commission obtained a postponement to allow negotiation of practical solutions to address the Non-GMO certification requirement. Freshfel Europe's General Delegate, Philippe Binard, commented on the imminent entry into force, saying: “While initially he welcomed the postponement of the measures, it is important that a practical solution is found for the new implementation date of 1 March. None of the products listed in the Order has been part of a genetic modification authorization process in the EU ”. With no progress on clarifying the Order, EU exporters face the same uncertainties for the next shipments arriving in India after March 1 as last year. This month is usually one of the peak export months with more than 20,000 T in 2019.

Last October and November, the lack of clarity surrounding the Order of India largely disrupted preparation for the start of the export season, which generally peaks from January to April. The export planning of the operators was affected by the shipping time to India, the uncertainty about when the rule would apply and the possible parameters of implementation of the Order in the EU, such as which Member State authorities would be made. potential certification fee. With continuing uncertainty, these elements continue to lead to an uneven playing field among European exporters in 2021. Mr. Binard added, “Freshfel Europe is urging the European Union to urgently clarify the situation.

Freshfel Europe fully supports EU fresh produce exports and the EU proposal to replace an individual certification scheme with a general EU declaration based on the assurance provided by the EU GMO legal framework ”.

Freshfel Europe hopes that the ongoing negotiations, especially the high-level meeting between the EU and India on January 22, can provide an opportunity for a breakthrough towards a practical solution. Natalia Santos, Trade Director of Freshfel Europe, highlighted that if each shipment needs to be certified individually, it will create an unnecessary administrative workload for EU Member States and Indian authorities, as well as a huge unnecessary burden for the fruit business. and vegetables. Freshfel Europe believes that a fast and successful long-term solution will allow the business to continue and grow with confidence, and will provide a favorable environment for the growth of EU fresh produce exports to the Indian strategic market without unnecessary additional requirements. Ms Santos concluded: "We are confident that the assurance of strong EU GMO legislation, traceability and the absence of authorization for the production of EU fruit and vegetables with GMOs will provide the necessary assurance to the Indian authorities. to exempt European fruits and vegetables listed in the Order from this GMO-free certification requirement ”.

In recent years, the European export of fresh fruit and vegetables to India has experienced significant growth with a peak in 2019 of almost 100,000 T of exports worth 82.5 million euros and has gained market share year after year in India. The EU export basket mainly includes apples (~ 88% of export volume), pears, plums and kiwis and includes operators from Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium and Greece.

Freshfel Europe is the European Fresh Produce Association, representing the interests of the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain in Europe and beyond. Freshfel Europe currently has more than 200 members, between companies and associations.