Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions, he has had with (a) EU officials, (b) Indian authorities and (c) affected UK businesses regarding the European Commission's ban on the import of Indian mangoes.

The Secretary of State has met with the Indian High Commissioner to discuss the ban on imports of mangoes from India and will be working with the European Commission and other Member States to facilitate a lifting of the ban subject to the necessary plant health standards being achieved. Defra officials have discussed the issue with the main trade association, the Fresh Produce Consortium, both prior to and following the introduction of the ban and also recently with the National Asian Business Network.