This document provides the guidance for the export of commercial shipments of fresh fruits of mango from India to Japan in compliance with the phytosanitary requirements of Japan. The purpose of this document is to facilitate commercial export of fresh fruits of mango from India to Japan after meeting the obligations covered under international agreements such as WTO-SPS agreement/ IPPC.

Standard 1.4.2.

The new MRL Regulation on pesticide residues in food could be a great progress towards better protection of children and consumer in general, but there are a number of open questions how the EU and the Member States will implement this Regulation. Therefore, civil society must actively watch the development in the next years.

A report of analysis of pesticide residues in soft drinks conducted by Centre for Science and Environment(CSE), was made public on 5th August, 2003. This Report was covered very prominently by both electronic and print media. In the Report it was stated that CSE found pesticide residues, in the samples of 12 soft drinks brands procured by it from open market in Delhi.

To produce the food most farmers use chemical pesticides to control weeds, pests and diseases, and to help them meet the appearance standards imposed by supermarkets. Residues from these pesticides may still be in the food when buy it - about half of all fruit and vegetables tested by the Government contain residues.

India is the second largest producer of vegetables after China, and accounts for 13.4% of world production. Surveys carried out by institutions spread throughout the country indicate that 50-70% of vegetables are contaminated with insecticide residues.