The government is concerned over a recent directive of the European Union (EU) proposing a ban on import of milk and milk products from countries which do not comply with stringent animal health and hygiene norms laid down by the EU. Top officials fear that such a ban, expected to come into effect from April 1, 1998, will adversely affect growth of India's milk production and processing in the cooperative sector comprising small and marginal farmers who cannot afford to adopt the EU norms.