US, Canada Raised Concerns at WTO For India’s MSP For Rice, Export Push

US, Canada Raised Concerns at WTO For India’s MSP For Rice, Export Push

As per recent updates, the US and Canada raised concerns by registering them at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) related to the potential global market distorting effects of the latest policy announcements by Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, modernising the public distribution, doubling agriculture exports and opening new global markets for Indian rice.The US urged India to explain how policies intended to double exports for a commodity that is rice, for which India accounts for 40 per cent of global exports, that would not affect the commercial interests of other countries.

Canada asked India to evaluate the Minimum Support Price (MSP), as discussed in the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Canada stated that India must clarify how to utilise the PSH and MSP (Minimum Support Price) for rice, as well as the global market distortions and negative effects that they cause, when intending to increase surplus rice production and exports. These are integrated into the questions asked by members of each other, which will be discussed at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) committee on Agriculture meeting in Geneva on November 24-26.

India cited the Peace Clause at the WTO

The focus is on India’s rice policies, as the country has cited the 2013 peace clause at the WTO various times, looking for an exemption from any challenge by other members for breaching the 10 per cent subsidy limit on rice. Countries such as the US and Canada are inspecting whether India fulfils the conditions attached for embedding relief under the peace clause- countries must avoid distorting trade. It does not affect the food security of other members and offers information to demonstrate that these conditions are being met.

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