Indian mango ban fuels protest in Britain

A ban on European imports of India's Alphonso mango -- prized for its perfumed aroma and buttery flesh -- is drawing anger from British Indians, who say the move is unfair and deprives them of one of summer's sweetest flavours.
The "king of fruits" and other Indian mangoes were banned by the European Union from May 1 after fruit flies which officials said could threaten crops were found in shipments last year.
While a fightback has been launched, many British Indians are resigned to going without their favourite Alphonsos for now, while the businesses who supply them are losing out financially.
Ahmed Khan, working on his stall in Tooting, south London, an area with a large south Asian population, said the move would hit him hard.
"It's not fair -- it's going to mean we miss out on half our mangoes this year, half our business," Khan, 55, said.
"Life is too short for politicians to interfere -- I hear they are now exporting Alphonsos to Pakistan, because there is a glut and they are very cheap." Rohit Shah, of nearby Bhavin's grocers, said the Alphonso, which can be eaten alone or used in everything from lassis to chutney, had no rival in terms of taste.