(a) whether the Union Government have received any memorandum from the State of Kerala in
the matter of deciding coir and rubber as an agriculture commodity under W.T.O. agreement;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken thereon?
(a) whether the Union Government have received any memorandum from the State of Kerala in
the matter of deciding coir and rubber as an agriculture commodity under W.T.O. agreement;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. The Government has been receiving memoranda and representations from
the State Government of Kerala, various Members of Parliament and Planters` Associations from
time to time for including rubber and coir under the scope of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)
of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
(c): The Government has already filed its negotiating proposals with the WTO for including
rubber and coir in the rationalization of product coverage in the AoA. The negotiations are
scheduled to conclude by 1 January 2005.