Question : EU RESTRICTION ON BASMATI RICE EXPORT

(a) whether European Union (EU) has recently put a restriction prior to export of Basmati Rice from India, the exporter must give a certificate with each despatch that it consists the traditional Indian Basmati, to avail a rebate of 250 Euro per tonne;

(b) whether EU has also put a condition that they will send samples of each despatch back to India for testing at the cost of Exporter;

(c) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard; and

(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in consultation with EU to safeguard the interests of Indian rice exporters?

MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( SHRI KAMAL NATH)

(a) : Yes Sir.

(b) & (c) : No Sir. European Union will be sending only random samples to India for reconfirmatory testing.

(d) : The Government is engaged under Article 28 of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1947 in negotiations with EC for imports of Basmati rice into European Union.