The Hindu Business Line : Farm imports

This is with reference to the editorial "Making farm imports safe" (Business Line, January 19). Given the large variety of agricultural industries and the endless list of pests posing a risk to domestic industry, the steps taken by the Centre to regulate farm import to India, though belated, are welcome.

While many countries, including the US, have used such non-tariff measures to give their domestic producers an edge, India has been reluctant to use even those allowed by the World Trade Organisation. As a result, it is the Indian farmers and the farming sector that suffered.

At the same time, it is equally essential to monitor and control new outbreaks, and the Indian Quarantine Service has to organise itself better for this. Despite the fact that India is the largest producer of mangoes with 63 per cent of the world production, it could not tap the US and Japanese markets due to the strict plant quarantine standards that require vapour heat treatment. The vapour heat treatment facility is not available in India. Efforts should, therefore, be taken to safeguard and promote plant exports from India.

C. Ramesh

Keeramangalam (TN)

Letters to the editor and contributions can be sent by e-mail to: bleditor@thehindu.co.in

More Stories on : Letters | Exports & Imports | Agriculture

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Dividend abuse will not pay

Regional trade and investment agreements

Forex reserves: After hundred, back to square one?

Economics or emotions, the poll toss-up

Farm imports

Non-resident Indians