Lok Sabha Question No. 219 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-14
Subject: Ban on Import of Agricultural Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH, A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 219 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015

## BAN ON IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

## * 219(H). SHRI BHARAT SINGH: SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

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

- a) whether  some  countries  have  imposed  a  ban  on  the  import  of  various  agricultural products from India;
- b) if  so,  the  details  thereof,  product  and country-wise indicating the time period of the ban;
- c) the reasons for imposing the ban on imports of such agricultural products from India along  with  the  losses  incurred  by  Indian  farmers  as  a  result  thereof  and  the  action taken by the Government in this regard;
- d) whether the Government proposes to launch a new agricultural export plan/ scheme aiming to boost overseas shipment of agricultural products from India; and
- e) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER

वाणिज् य एवं उद्योग राज् य मंत्री )णीमीी स मलमा नीीारमि((स्वींत्र प्रभार ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- a) to  e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 219  FOR ANSWER ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2015 REGARDING 'BAN ON IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS  '

- (a) & (b) Yes, Madam. The European Union (EU) has imposed a temporary ban on imports of four vegetables, namely Brinjal, Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd and Taro Leaves from India w.e.f. 1 st  May 2014. Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on import of  green  chillies  from  India  w.e.f.  30 th   May  2014.  Vietnam  has  imposed  a temporary restriction on import of groundnuts from India w.e.f. 6 th April 2015.
- (c) The EU has imposed a ban on import of four vegetables as export consignments were intercepted with harmful organisms (pests) such as thrips.  The Agricultural &  Processed  Food  Export  Development  Authority  (APEDA),  an  autonomous organisation under the Department of Commerce, has taken up the issue of ban on exports of four vegetables with EU authorities through Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers  Welfare  (MoA&FW).  MOA&FW  has  sent  a  detailed  action  plan  to address the concerns raised by EU and requested them to lift the ban. This issue has  also  been  flagged  by  the  Department  of  Commerce  in  various  bilateral meetings between India and EU from time to time.

Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on import of green chillies from India as export consignments were reportedly detected with agrochemicals i.e. pesticides above the  maximum  residue  limits.  APEDA  had  taken  up  the  matter  of  the  ban  on exports  of  green  chilly  with  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, a delegation comprising of representatives of Ministry of Agriculture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia visited India from 23.10.2015 to 30.10.2015. The delegation visited  APEDA  approved packhouses, laboratory, National Referral Laboratory at Pune, and green chillies farms  at  Nashik.  The  outcome  of  the  visit  is  awaited  from  Saudi  Arabia authorities.

Vietnam has imposed a temporary restriction on import of groundnuts from India as  Caryedon  serratus  Olivier  (living  pest)  was  reportedly  detected  in  export consignments.  India has taken up  the matter  with  Vietnam  authorities.  A delegation  from  Vietnam  is  visiting  India  in  December  2015  to  conduct  onsite inspections.

- (d) & (e) The Government has already unveiled the new Foreign Trade Policy 201520 on 01 st  April, 2015 which aims at export promotion for all products including agricultural products. Encouraging exports of agricultural products is a continuous process.  The  Government  is  taking  steps  to  encourage  exports  of  agro  products through measures and incentives under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export Promotion  Councils. Besides these measures, the Ministry of Commerce  &  Industry  has  put in place various  schemes  namely  Market Development Assistance (MDA), Market Assistance Initiative (MAI) and Merchandise Export Incentive Scheme (MEIS), Interest Equalisation Scheme etc. to provide assistance to encourage exports.

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