The Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for Exporting Mangoes from India to China was signed between Chinese and Indian governments here Monday, making India the first southern Asian nation to win approval to export mangoes to China.
Accordingly, India will ensure that the mangoes are free of pests and issue an official phytosanitary certificate for them.
India will carry out supervision and field inspections of the mangoes for export to China before and during the harvest season, in view of the concerns of the Chinese side. Prior to the export season, the relevant annual reports will be provided to China.
The picking and packing of mangoes for export to China will be subject to strict quarantine supervision. The mangoes will be imported via the cities of Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai and Nanjing.
The protocol not only provided a passport for Indian mangoes into China, but also strengthened the protection of Chinese agricultural goods and reduced the risk of pest invasion, said Qi Xiuqin, an official with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China.
The protocol took effect on the date signed, and will remain in force for one year, the first year serving as a trial period. It will be automatically extended for an additional twelve months, provided that neither side gives notice to amend or terminate the agreement at least three months prior to the expiration date.
(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2003)
