Lok Sabha Question No. 3452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-08
Subject: Testing of Imported Foodgrains
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3452

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH   AUGUST, 2017

## TESTING OF IMPORTED FOODGRAINS

## 3452.  SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether wheat, sugar, rice and other foodgrains are imported from China in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  examines  the  quality  of  the  said  wheat,  sugar,  rice  and  other foodgrains being imported from China and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has found cases of heavy adulteration in the above food items from China during the said testing examination; and
- (e) if  so, whether the Government proposes to impose ban on import of wheat, sugar, rice and other foodgrains from China and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

- (a) & (b): Details of import of wheat, sugar , rice and other foodgrains from China in country is at  Annexure-I.    It  may  be  seen  there  is  insignificant  import  of  these  items  from  China  into  our country.
- (c): The imported food consignments referred to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)  by  Customs  are  subjected  to  visual  inspection  and  testing      for  compliance  with  the prescribed standards for the specified food category before No Objection Certificate for allowing the consignment or Non-Conforming Report (NCR) for rejecting the consignment  are issued . Import is also subjected to fulfilment of phyto-santairy condition of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order , 2003. All the consignments are inspected and tested as per Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 at the port of entry before release.
- (d): FSSAI has informed that no import of wheat, sugar, rice and other food grains from China during  01.04.2016  to  27.07.2017  has  taken  place  at  six  ports  /  inland  station  namely  Chennai  , Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Kochi and Tuticorin. However, they do not have information in respect of food consignments from China cleared at 136 other locations where Customs Officers have been notified as Authorised Officers by FSSAI.
- (e): There is no proposal with FSSAI for considering ban  on import of foodgrains from China.

************

Annexure-I

Details of import of rice, sugar, wheat and other foodgrains from China to India

| S.No.   | Commodity        | 2015-2016                    | 2016-2017                    | 2015-2016         | 2016-2017         |
|---------|------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|         |                  | (Quantity in metric ton (MT) | (Quantity in metric ton (MT) | Value in Rs. lakh | Value in Rs. lakh |
| 1       | Rice             | 0.2                          | 0.1                          | 0.7               | 0.0               |
| 2       | Sugar            | 7.0                          | 2.1                          | 202.4             | 65.6              |
| 3       | Wheat            | Nil                          | Nil                          | Nil               | Nil               |
| 4       | Other foodgrains | Nil                          | Nil                          | Nil               | Nil               |

Source: Department of Commerce