WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SG/N/6/IND/16 
4 August 2004 
 (04-3316) 
Committee on Safeguards Original:   English 
  
 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OF THE 
AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF 
AN INVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT 
 
INDIA 
 
(Starch, Modified Starches and Manloc (Cassava, Tapioca) based Sago
) 
  
 The following communication, dated 30 July, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of India.  
_______________ 
 
 
 Attached hereto is a copy of the Notice of Initiation of safeguard proceedings (No. 
SG/INV/1/2004, dated 7 July 2004) issued by the Di rector General (Safeguards) against imports of 
Starch falling under Chapter Heading 1108, Modifi ed Starches falling under Chapter 3505 and 
Manloc (Cassava, Tapioca) based Sago falling under Chapter 1903 into India. G/SG/N/6/IND/16 
Page 2  
 
 Office of the Director General of Safeguards 
139, C.R. Buildings 
I.P. Estate, New Delhi 110021 
 F. No. SG/INV/1/2004        Dated 7 July 2004 
 
 
Notice of Initiation of a Safeguard Investigation
 
(Under Rule 6 of the Customs Tariff (Identification and Assessment 
of Safeguard Duty) Rules 1997  
 
 Sub: Initiation of Safeguard Investigation concerning imports of Starch falling under 
Chapter Heading 1108;  Modified Starch es falling under Chapter 3505 and Manloc 
(Cassava, Tapioca) based Sago falling under Chapter 1903 of the First Schedule under 
the Customs Tariff Act, 1975  
 
1. A representation filed by the Farmers & Farmers Association of Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu Sago and Starch Manufacturers Welfare Association (TASSMA), Salem inter alia , requesting 
imposition of Safeguard Duty on the imports of Star ch falling under Chapter Heading 1108;  Modified 
Starches falling under Chapter 3505 and Manloc (Cas sava, Tapioca) based Sago falling under Chapter 
1903 of the First Schedule under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 has been forwarded by the Ministry of 
Finance, Government of India to the undersigned.  The representation alleges serious injury caused to 
the domestic producers by the increased imports of aforesaid items and requests for an immediate imposition of safeguard duty.  
2. Starch, Modified Starches and Manloc (Cassav a, Tapioca) based Sago are imported into India 
mainly from Australia;  Chile;  People's Republic of  China;  Finland;  France;  Germany;  Hong 
Kong, China;  Italy;  Japan;  Korea, Rep. of;  Ma laysia;  the Netherlands;  Thailand;  United States 
and Vietnam.  Imports of Starch have increased  from 700 MT in the year 2000-2001 to about 
5,000 MT in 2003-2004.  Similarly, imports of Sago have registered a marginal increase from 
3,568 MT in 2000-01 to about 4,000 MT in 2003-04 and imports of Modified Starches which were 
about 305 MT in 2000-01 increased to about 2,000 MT in the year 2003.04. 
 3. The representation has been examined.  Since the producers of Starch, Modified Starch and 
Sago in India reportedly comprise of more than 700 small scale manufacturers, the representation 
filed by the aforesaid Associations has been consider ed to have been made on behalf of the Domestic 
Industry.  It appears that, prima facie,  the imports of Starch, Modified Starches and Manloc (Cassava, 
Tapioca) based Sago into India have caused/threat ened to cause serious in jury to the domestic 
producers of Starch, Modified Starches and Manloc  (Cassava, Tapioca) based Sago and accordingly it 
has been decided to initiate an investigation through this notice.  4. All interested parties may make their views known by 16 August 2004  to: 
 
 The Director General (Safeguards)  Room No. 139  C.R. Building, I.P. Estate  New Delhi 110021 
 India 
 5. All known interested parties are also being addressed separately.   G/SG/N/6/IND/16 
 Page 3 
 
 
 6. Any other party to the investigation who wish es to be considered as an interested party may 
submit its representation so as to reach the Director General (Safeguards) within 21 days from the date of this notice.  
__________