Lok Sabha Question No. 245 (STARRED), answered on 2021-12-15
Subject: Indo-US Trade Relations
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 245 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 th  DECEMBER, 2021

## INDO-US TRADE RELATIONS

## *245.   SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether USA has lifted or is considering to lift the ban on entry of Indian fruits to American markets and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether this welcome step will resolve the outstanding trade issues between the two countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the USA and Indian Governments have formed any trade policy forum for regular interaction with each other and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government for registration of packing houses and processing units for fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure compliance with international standards;
- (e) whether ban on certain vegetables like bitter gourd, eggplant, etc., is still continuing and if so, the details thereof and the efforts made for lifting of the ban on these vegetables; and
- (f) the amount of revenue likely to be generated from exports after lifting of the ban?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y )

## THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (f):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) to (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO. 245   FOR  ANSWER  ON  15 th  DECEMBER, 2021 REGARDING   ' INDO-US TRADE RELATIONS'.

(a) and (b): There is no ban on entry of Indian fruits into the U.S. market. India has market access  for  fruits  including  banana,  pomegranate,  mango,  watermelon  and  coconut. However, the export of pomegranate arils was suspended by the U.S. in 2018. Further, the export of Indian mangoes and pomegranate fruits was held up since 2020 in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic as export pre-clearance inspection by the US inspectors could not be carried out due to  travel restrictions.

In  the  12 th   India-US  Trade  Policy  Forum  Meeting  held  on  23 rd   November  2021,the  U.S. agreed to finalize market access for pomegranate arils as well as oversight transfer to India for  pre-clearance  for  mangoes  and  pomegranate,  which  will  facilitate  export  of  these commodities to the U.S.

(c): The India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum (TPF),formed in 2005, is a bilateral forum for discussion and resolution of trade and investment issues between the two countries. It is cochaired by Indian  Commerce  & Industry Minister and the United States Trade Representative. The 12 th  India-U.S. TPF Ministerial meeting was convened on 23 rd  November, 2021. After the meeting a Joint Statement covering the ambit of bilateral trade  and  commercial  issues  and  way  forward  was  released,  which   is  available  at https://commerce.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TPF-Joint-Statement-2021-Nov-23Final.pdf.

(d): To ensure compliance with international standards for fruits and vegetables and other horticulture  produce,  Government provides grant for setting up of pack houses. In addition, Government bodies viz APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and NPPO (National Plant Protection Organization) register and recognize  pack  houses  based  on  the  Standard  Operating  Procedure  in  conformity  with established international standards such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)/ British Retail Consortium (BRC).

(e) and (f): There is no ban on entry of vegetables such as bitter gourd and eggplants from India to the U.S. As per  DGCIS figures, India exported US$ 72.57 million worth of vegetables in 2019-20 and US$ 101.25 million in 2020-21 to the US.

*******