(a) Whether an Expert Committee to Facilitate Standardization in Agricultural
Commodities has submitted its report ;
(b) If so, the details of recommendations of the committee ;
(c) If not, the time by which the said report is likely to be submitted ;
(d) Whether the Codex Standard is being made applicable ;
(e) If so, the details thereof; and
(f) If not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) : Ministry of Agriculture has not set up an Expert Committee to facilitate
standardization in Agricultural Commodities. However, Department of Consumer
Affairs has set up a Working Group on Standards and Grading of Agricultural
Commodities in order to identify key agricultural commodities which are high
on the list of priorities in terms of the both commodity futures trading and price
monitoring and align domestic standards of these agricultural commodities to the
best international standards. The Working Group consists of representatives from
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Department of Food and Public
Distribution, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, Bureau of Indian
Standards, Forward Markets Commission, Senior Economic Adviser and three
national multi-commodity Exchanges.
(b)&(c): The Working Group is yet to submit its report. However, in its two meetings,
the Working Group has identified 31 agricultural commodities on the basis of their
importance for futures` grading and price monitoring. Directorate of Marketing and
Inspection (DMI), Faridabad and attached office of this Ministry has been asked to
update/harmonise standards of 25 commodities and frame harmonized standards of 4
commodities. Bureau of Indian Standards has to update/harmonise standards of 6
commodities.
(d)&(e): Codex Alimentarius Commission has formulated standards of few agricultural
commodities.These standards are advisory for member countries. Codex standards are
considered while formulating/revising standards of agricultural commodities.The
emphasis is given to characteristics and intrinsic quality of Indian produce while fixing
the standards.
(f) : Question does not arise.