From statement by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):

In recent weeks, the European Union (EU) has seen the need to increase controls to ensure food security in the EU market. The reason has been the detection of new risks in plant products imported into the European Union and therefore controls have been tightened on products of plant origin coming specifically from India, Cambodia and Vietnam, given the greater number of incidents detected. The Commission Regulation 1021/2014, adopted on September 27, amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 on the increased level of official controls on imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin, details what these new controls are for food from Cambodia, India and Vietnam and which aspects of the controls are being reinforced.

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Opportunity: Russia Extends Ban on European Foods

October 2014

The Russian government has increased restrictions on food imports from the European Union to include fats, animal meal and other meat products and will start buying them from other markets.

The use of prohibited substances and toxic products from the European Union (EU) has led Russia to take this temporary measure, which excepts "...

Opportunity for Mango Exporters

June 2014

The phytosanitary restriction imposed by the EU on fruit from India is generating shortages in a region where the UK is the largest consumer.

A statement from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office:

Phytosanitary restrictions imposed by the EU which are preventing the entry of mangos from India, which came into effect in May and will be in effect until at least December 2015, will force distributors and retailers to seek alternative sources for the product.

India: More Controls on Animals and Plants

May 2013

A proposal has been made in to parliament for a new law creating a central body to control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals in the country.

From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):

The Indian Agriculture Minister, Sarad Pawar, sent a new law to the parliament of his country, which will create a central agency, the Agricultural Biosecurity Authority of India (ABAI), in order to predict, control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals.

Costa Rica: Europe Renews Organic Farming Approval

July 2011

With the equivalence renewal, Costa Rica remains in the EU’s list of third party nations, for an unlimited time, and on Switzerland’s list until 2013, allowing it to export organic products to the European market with a certification issued by national certification bodies under Costa Rican regulations and with the supervision of the SFE, an entity qualified at the national level.

A press release from the State Phytosanitary Service reads: