The government today informed the Rajya Sabha that the European Union has banned imports of honey from India because of presence of heavy metals in the natural nectar. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said this in a written reply. He said a detailed action plan addressing all the raised issues was prepared by the Export Inspection Council and communicated to the European Commission. He said the Drug Controller of the country has issued instruction to state authorities on prohibition of sale of these drugs to farmers without prescription. The EU is the second largest destination for Indian honey exports after the US. India exports honey to over 60 nations. India's honey exports totalled 32.39 million US Dollars in 2008-09.