The UK mulls over lifting the ban on Bangladeshi betel leaf import

The United Kingdom (UK) is considering lifting the ban on import of betel leaf from Bangladesh, agriculture ministry sources said. The ban was imposed on the Bangladeshi betel leaf in February 2014 by the European Union (EU). Before the ban, Bangladesh's annual export of betel leaf was worth US$40 million which declined to $2.0 to $5.0 million in recent years, according to the EPB. EU lifted the ban in April this year after being satisfied with Bangladesh's progress in delivering safe products. However, the UK, the key market for Bangladeshi betel leaf, is yet to remove the ban. The UK is now thinking of lifting the ban fully following a progress in Bangladesh's psytosanitary structure as well as in supply of safe food. It was disclosed at a meeting between a Bangladeshi delegation led by Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque and UK Food Standards Agency, held in London, UK on Monday, said a press release issued by the agriculture ministry. A Memorandum of Understanding ...