Indian organic produce growers face double whammy

Indian exporters of natural and organic deliver have been affected by a double whammy of “variations” in checks for ethylene oxide (ETO) and require for individual certifications to export to the US, European Union, and Canada.

Presence of over .1 mg/kg ethylene oxide even in standard solutions is not recognized by the European Union, as the chemical is regarded carcinogenic. Different certifications for natural and organic solutions are essential because the US ended a unilateral arrangement with the Agricultural and Processed Food items Products Export Growth Authority (APEDA) past yr, when India is negotiating pacts with Canada and the EU for fairly someday.

Situation of ETO presence

In August this yr, growers of natural and organic turmeric, all customers of the Sathyamangalam Organic Farmers’ Welfare Trust in Erode, Tamil Nadu, were being stunned when their deliver examined by an accredited certification company – Indocert – for a transaction certificate, a evidence that the deliver is natural and organic, confirmed presence of .eleven mg/kg of ETO.

The certificate, essential in advance of every cargo, is sought by corporations who acquire the deliver from farmers in advance of processing and export. “It makes sure end-to-end traceability. The final results stalled our attempts to get the certificate,” reported SS Ramakrishanan, the trust’s spokesperson.

ETO is at the moment a controversial challenge because the EU bans its application on any merchandise in the continent. Considering that April 1 this yr, over a dozen consignments from India have been rejected due to this.

“We were being stunned with the final results and examined it at a different lab in Chennai. The final results confirmed ETO presence was in just approved limits. So, we took up the challenge with the certification company,” reported Ramakrishnan. The Sathyamangalam Trust received the growers’ deliver examined by the Chennai lab because a retired Spices Board scientist reported final results of labs could be inconsistent.

Variation in final results

Adhering to the trust’s plea, Indocert despatched a refreshing staff and examined the turmeric developed on the farms of six growers, who were being keen on receiving the transaction certificate. “The officers arrived, frequented our farms and took samples in September. Results confirmed that the presence of ETO was down below .ten mg/kg,” reported the trust spokesman.

Though the “variations” in the final results have lifted concerns, the Sathyamangalam farmers also place out that they had to commit further revenue for testing their deliver the second time. “The 1st time, we were being charged ₹40,000 for testing our deliver as a unit. The second time, because we sought personal testing, we had to commit ₹80,000,” Ramakrishnan reported.

“The checks are an ongoing procedure. We reanalysed the Sathyamangalam farmers samples and the procedure has not been completed but. We have questioned that the 1st sample be also reanalysed. ETO is seen as a large threat presence by the EU. In particular, exporters of spices are experiencing this trouble,” reported Bini Varghese, Quality Manager, Indocert.

Inconsistencies in EU norms

Spices Board sources explained to BusinessLine that ETO was detected in previous samples and methods are remaining taken to make sure such contamination doesn’t recur. On its element, the Spices Board claims there are “inconsistencies” even in the EU procedure.

Though the EU has approved a limit of .ten mg/kg, the US limit is 947 mg/kg, sources reported.

When contacted, APEDA Chairman M Angamuthu reported the Spices Board had reported the probability of all-natural incidence of ETO in some deliver that can outcome in detection at any level. “It is not sure that this has been validated scientifically or recognized by the EU,” he reported.

On the variants in final results, he reported the good quality division of the certifying company can be questioned to glance into it for natural and organic merchandise assessment. ETO has been located to be used at the processing or managing stage of the solutions.

“ETO contamination could have occurred due to lively application or cross contamination or all-natural incidence,” he reported. In India, ETO is but to be stated under the view checklist of the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee to use for natural and organic deliver certification.

Steam sterilization

“A large amount of resources release ETO. It is released for the duration of the ripening of citrus fruits. It is just one of the explanations why quite a few customers in the EU insist on steam-sterilization of solutions,” reported Mukesh Gupta, Director, Morarka Organic Foods Ltd.

On variants in final results, he reported they depend on the sophistication of the labs.

“Our place is that ETO is a new challenge that has cropped up. Assessments of labs have not been standardised. It is the require of the hour,” reported Ramakrishnan.

An additional grouse of the natural and organic growers is the further payment they now have to get certification. “Until past yr, we had to make only just one payment for the National Programme for Organic Output (NPOP) and National Organic Application (NOP). Now, we have to make individual payments,” reported Ramakrishnan.

NOP certification fees

The NPOP certification is issued for accreditation in just India and the NOP for exports overseas, specially the US. Until finally past yr, farmers spent ₹50,000 for the two certifications. “For our team of 15 farmers, we have to pay out an further ₹1.25 lakh for NOP certification,” Ramakrishnan reported.

Certifying agencies say the further payment is essential because agencies accredited by formulated nations around the world such as the US have to apparent the procedure now. Indian agencies have tied up with overseas accredited corporations for this procedure, whereby their staff make the visits to natural and organic farms.

“It usually takes at least two years to get accreditation from the US Section of Agriculture for certifying natural and organic solutions. We require to commit at least ₹three lakh,” reported Indocert’s Varghese.

“The twin certification procedure also entails further documentation that adds up to our fees,” reported Gupta.

Centre pursuing up

APEDA’s Angamuthu reported the Indian federal government was pursuing up with the USDA for “bilateral or mutual recognition that is restricting India because it involves further certification”. Negotiations are on with Canada and the EU.

Negotiations with Canada have been on because 2009 and the two nations have not been ready to get there at a consensus. The EU indicated its “willingness” in 2019 and the two nations around the world are keeping usually takes. “But it entails an outlined procedure which might acquire time,” he reported.

Trade analysts reported the Indian federal government should really acquire instant methods to handle the two the challenges because they require important fees outgo for the growers.

(With further inputs from V Sajeev Kumar, Kochi)