ILAM:

Tea produced in Ilam district is not going to be exported to European countries owing to use of pesticides. The situation came to light when samples of tea sent to Europe for lab test after processing in Ilam has been found with maximum pesticides. “The exports to European countries will suffer, as the lab test in Europe has found an enormous use of harmful pesticides,” said Punam Bantawa, manager of Small Tea Production Pvt Ltd. The company has long been exporting tea to the European countries. The Ilam tea started facing problems in the international markets after Germany and European Tea Purchase-Sale Committee fixed standards of ingredients of foodstuffs four years ago. Meanwhile, farmers claimed that they have been producing tea abiding by the code of conduct.