Britons Complain Over EU Indian Mango Ban

The EU has slapped a ban on the import of a range of Indian fresh produce, including mangoes, aubergines and squash.

Previous shipments were discovered to be infested with fruit-flies indigenous to the Sub-Continent that could be harmful to European crops. The ban could remain in place until December 2015.

UK political figures have come out in opposition to the embargo. The UK buys £6.3mn of its total mangoes from India, with the popular Premium Alphonso mangoes coming into season just as the ban takes effect.

Indian mango exporters have also claimed that procedures are now in place to ensure the crops are free of pests.

The Conservative MP for Leicester East Keith Vaz said: "The Prime Minister has shown that he is a champion of our relationship with India. I understand that the Indian government has complied with the rules set out by the EU and there is, therefore, no reason for this ban to go ahead."

The EU has been accused of moving ahead with the ban in spite of exporters' efforts to comply with European standards.

Farmers of Premium Alphonso mangoes are set to be severely hit by the ban, since they charge a premium for exporting the fruit that they could never expect to accrue at home.

For an overseas buyer, a box of Premium Alphonso would cost $83, but would fetch just $16 on the domestic market.

Twitter users took to the social network to express their dismay at the ban, with some despairing at the prospect of a mango-free summer.

Others were critical of what they perceived as harshness from the EU.

While a few expressed fears for their waistlines in light of the ban.