According to The Economic Times (ET), a number of nations, including the United States, the European Union (EU), and Canada, have declared that India’s export prohibition on non-basmati white rice amounts to an unnecessary trade barrier. They also mentioned that India’s action, the ban, prevents food from reaching the areas that need it the most.
US, EU Wants India To Lift Export Ban On Non-Basmati Rice
On September 27, delegates from Japan, Australia, Brazil, the EU, the UK, and the US expressed concerns about the ban’s potential worldwide effects during a meeting of the WTO’s Agriculture Committee.
Given that India exports more than 40% of the world’s rice, the ban has a substantial impact. India had stopped exporting non-basmati white rice in July. These members mentioned that such policies have a negative impact on nations that are largely dependent on imports, particularly during times of crisis, according to a Geneva-based official quoted in the ET story.
The research also stated that India is anticipated to have a record-breaking harvest for the fiscal year 2023–2024, with an estimated yield of 134 million tonnes and stocks of roughly 36 million tonnes. The article cited data from the United States Department of Agriculture. (As per Business Standard)
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India Offered A Justification
India made it clear that the rice export ban is more of a rule than a limitation when asked about its justification. The nation claimed that the restriction was essential for supplying its 1.4 billion residents with adequate food.
The official from Washington stated that under these circumstances, the new legislation imposes unnecessary trade obstacles and obstructs the supply of food to where it is most needed. The US then asked India to immediately abolish the export restriction on non-basmati white rice.
India stated that the action was taken to avoid market manipulation by private firms in response to a request from the US and other nations for advance notification before enforcing such prohibitions, according to the ET article. (As per Business Standard)
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First Published: September 29, 2023 2:10 PM