However, according to the formula worked out by related agencies, exporters will have to submit their export application forms along with the aflatoxin level certificate to Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA) which will be then forwarded to APEDA.

Each applicant will have to pay a fee of Rs five per metric tonne as application fee to IOPEA along with a processing fee of Rs 15 for both kernals and in shells. Application fee of Rs five will be remitted to APEDA by IOPEA as per the clause laid down in Trade notice no.23/1999-2000 dated 1st April 99, issued by APEDA.

According to EU norms, the permitted aflatoxin level for raw peanuts destined for further processing is 15 PPB (8B1). The limit for consumerready peanuts is, however, fixed at 4ppb (2B1). Earlier, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a public notice (No.68 RE/1997-2002) had stated the above conditions. India has been coerced into this condition by EU through its amendments regarding maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. It had been been put on hold upto the date of announcement of the new EXIM policy (April 1, 1999) after IOPEA requested to wait till a formula was worked out.

IOPEA had several meetings with the ministry of commerce and APEDA for setting up a procedure in this regard. It was realised by all parties that the procedure should not become cumbersome and should not increase the paper work while ensuring the flow of exports to EU.

It is worth mentioning that none of the European countries produce peanuts to notable extent and has been trying to bind all EU members to accept low aflatoxin levels.

All origins including India stoutly opposed this move. Even other world bodies like the Codex Alimentariosand joint expert committee on Food Additives, the latter formed by the FAO and the WHO who suggested 15/20 ppb ruling out any health hazards.

IOPEA (Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association) had joined the Ministry of Commerce and the Mission of India to European Union in Brussels, in taking up the issue with the EC commission on the proper forums, opposing such stringent legislation with cogent arguments.

After much discussion and debate, the current standards were arrived at by the authorities. It also includes checking of consignments based on a single 30 kilogram sample (or average of 3x10 kg samples). IOPEA had also roped in views of American Peanut Council, British Peanut Council, FOSFA international and Healthy Nut Initiative (Hamburg). India has been exporting mainly the HPS (Hand Picked Selected) groundnuts to various countries, the highest importer being Indonesia in the fiscal 1997-98.

India had exported HPS groundnut worth Rs 557 crores (225221 million tonnes) in the year 1997-98. Thecountry has been constantly witnessing an upward trend in the exports both in value and quantity terms.

Exports of oilseeds- HPS ( hand picked selected) groundnuts, sesame seeds, safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and rapeseed/ mustard seed has reached an all time high at 339893 tonnes valued at Rs 907.76 crores during the year 1997-98.

Past four years has witnessed exports of HPS groundnuts as well as sesame seeds steady increase, reaching a record high of 225221 tonnes worth Rs 557.16 crores in peanuts and Rs 331.20 crores in sesame seeds during fiscal year 1997-98.

In order to further increase exports and continuity of supplies of export quality premium oilseeds, a series of steps have been initiated especially for increasing productivity and quality upgradation.

In case of other oilseeds like safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and rapeseeds/mustard exports of which were yet to pick up, attention should be given to their quality related issues like oil content in case of safflower seeds and size ofkernal in case of sunflower seed (confectionary grade).