Kerala - Kannur   

Infam warns of protest against rubber import

Staff Reporter

Says it is a threat to rubber growers in the State

KANNUR: The Indian Farmers' Movement (Infam) has warned of strong agitation if the Union Government goes ahead with its decision to import rubber from Thailand.

The Union Government should withdraw the decision to import rubber from Thailand as it was a threat to rubber growers in the State, Infam chairman Joseph Ottaplakkal said in a press release here on Thursday.

He said the decision of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Trade, which would allow other countries to reap profits to the detriment of domestic farmers, was also against national interests.

Fr. Ottaplakkal said once the special free trade agreement with Thailand came into effect, the country would be flooded with rubber from that country and it would trigger a crash in prices. Rubber growers who were the only section of farmers getting a good price for their produce would be forced to commit suicide. The Infam would mobilise farmers across all political affiliations to stage strong protests against the Government's import policy, he said.

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