(a) whether the foodgrains traders of Asia in Britain have been asked to boycott `Basmati` rice first while boycotting the Indian products;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reason therefor; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI MURASOLI MARAN)
(a)&(b): Reports have been received that a section of foodgrains traders of Asian origin in Britain, have launched a boycott of Indian rice. This follows a move of the UK`s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to develop methods of authentication of Basmati rice and detection of non-Basmati rice in Basmati rice.
(c): The matter has been appropriately taken up with the concerned authorities.