The Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday vehemently denied reports of ban or suspension of import of Indian mangoes by Nepal, saying these are “factually incorrect” and “misleading”.It said the imports continue to be permitted subject to prescribed phytosanitary requirements.“Import permits and release orders are being issued upon compliance with these requirements and submission of valid phytosanitary certificates issued by the Government of India,” the ministry said.After Japan, reports claimed neighbouring Nepal had also reportedly banned the import of mangoes and several other fruits from India. The Balen Shah government in Nepal imposed the abrupt ban after border quarantine inspectors detected excessive levels of chemical pesticides in imported shipments, according to a report by The Rising Nepal.Rebutting the media reports, the agriculture ministry said, “These reports are factually incorrect and misleading. The Government of Nepal, through its Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre (National Plant Protection Organisation of Nepal), has clarified on June 10 that no ban has been imposed on the import of Indian mangoes.”It also said that since January, a total of 149 consignments comprising 2005 MT of mangoes have been exported to Nepal. During June alone, 18 consignments totalling 266 MT have been exported so far, it said.Meanwhile, the Nepal government has recently revised certain import conditions, including the requirement for Hot Water Treatment (HWT).The Agriculture Ministry said India has conveyed its concerns to the Himalayan nation regarding the introduction of new phytosanitary measures without prior consultation, and is pursuing the matter through appropriate bilateral channels in accordance with the WTO SPS Agreement and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) framework.“Stakeholders, traders and the public are advised to rely on official communications for information relating to import and export regulations, and to disregard unverified reports regarding any alleged trade restrictions on Indian mango exports to Nepal,” it said in a statement.The Nepal government, in a letter to the Indian government, said National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Nepal regularly conducts Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) in the course of adopting biosecurity measures in accordance with the Plant Quarantine and Protection Act, 2064, and based on this, “phytosanitary measures are being adopted to prevent the entry of high-risk pests”.“In this context, regarding the import of mangoes from India, only phytosanitary measures such as freedom from certain pests and treatment in water at 48 degrees Celsius for 1 hour have been adopted, as per international practice. All concerned parties are informed that this centre has not imposed any ban on the import of Indian mangoes,” it said.Last month, Japan had suspended mango imports from India after its quarantine officials found lapses in pest-control procedures at Indian treatment facilities during inspections earlier this year. The suspension marks the first such restriction in nearly two decades.Japan had earlier banned Indian mangoes over fruit fly concerns and lifted those curbs only in 2006 after India strengthened its treatment protocols.India produces nearly 28 million metric tonnes of mangoes every year, making it the world’s largest producer. Most of the produce is consumed within the country, but exports to high-end markets like Japan bring significantly higher profits for growers and traders.