(a) whether the Government has considered the objections raised by the fishermen in the country
particularly from Kerala as the import will adversely affect them by depressing the price of
fish in the market; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI TASLIMUDDIN )
(a )&(b): Government has taken note of the objections made by the fishermen of Kerala
through the State Government for the import of fish under the Free Trade Agreement with
European Union stating that it would be against the interest of Indian fishermen; hence,
should be kept out of the purview of tariff liberalization programme. The sensitivity of
any item in all such cases is decided on the basis of economic studies and consultations
with the domestic stakeholders and the administrative Ministries/ State Governments, etc.
Further, the agreement also prescribes suitable safeguards such as anti-dumping provisions
in case of surge in imports leading to the problems of domestic industry.