Question : BAN ON EXPORTS

(a) whether the Government has imposed/proposes to impose ban/restrictions on export/import of various products including like onion, sugar, cotton and other agricultural products and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government proposes to review export/import policy relating to such products including onion, sugar, cotton, etc. and other agricultural products;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with its impact on the farmers and the revenue earned by the Government;

(d) whether the Government proposes to withdraw minimum export price for onion to promote its export from the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the price of onion in the domestic market is likely to be affected by increase in its export and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) Export of certain commodities is prohibited/restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy. These include all wild animals, beef of cows, oxen and calf, bone in meat of buffalo, wood and semi-finished wood products, pulses (with a few exemptions), edible oils (with a few exemptions), plants and plant portions covered under the CITES list & Wildlife (Protection) Act, fodder, certain type of fertilizers, wood pulps etc. and items covered under Special Chemicals, Organism, Materials, Equipment & Technologies (SCOMET). The complete list is available on the website of DGFT www.dgft.gov.in. The prohibition/restriction on export is to ensure (i) availability of the commodities for domestic use/consumption at reasonable prices (ii) to safeguard natural resources & environment and (iii) to take care of proliferation concerns. At present, there is no ban on import of onion, sugar, cotton and other agricultural products.

(b) to (e) Review of export/import policy is a continuous process undertaken by the Government from time to time. The Government reviews the export/import policy in consultation with the administrative Ministries and the Departments concerned, keeping in view the various factors such as availability of goods in the domestic market, production, the price situation and various national and international commitments etc. Export of onion, sugar, cotton and other agricultural commodities [except pulses and edible oils] is free. There is no minimum export price on export of onion w.e.f. 08.05.2012. The prices and availability of onion in the domestic market is reviewed by the Government from time to time.