The Hindu : National : No compromise on quality of imported wheat, says Pawar

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Thursday, Jul 12, 2007
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No compromise on quality of imported wheat, says Pawar

Gargi Parsai

Order for 10 lakh tonnes cancelled due to high global prices

Production and availability of foodgrains, edible oils and pulses reviewed at international level
Rise in potato and onion prices due to heavy rain

NEW DELHI: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said India will not compromise on quality norms to facilitate the entry of U.S. wheat into the country. India’s initial plan to purchase 10 lakh tonnes of wheat for delivery between August and October to augment stocks for the Public Distribution System was cancelled due to high global prices.

Speaking to media persons after a review meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Prices (CCP) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Pawar said the country’s interest had to be kept in mind.

There are phyto-sanitary guidelines with regard to the exotic weeds that can be present in foreign wheat. These standards have been “accepted, honoured and implemented” by wheat exporting countries, which include Australia, Russia, Ukraine and Argentina.

The CCP reviewed the prices and availability of essential food commodities in the domestic market. It also looked at the international scene with regard to the production and availability of foodgrains, edible oils and pulses.

Mr. Pawar said the U.S. maintains that it is not in a position to accept India’s policy on quality norms and wants us to dilute our guidelines. “But we have seen the impact (parthenium weed) with the import of the PL480 ‘green revolution’ wheat in the 60’s. We, therefore, have to be careful. We don’t want to compromise on anything that affects farmers and crops.”

Mr. Pawar said the U.S. was worried that India would have to spend more on importing wheat from other countries. On Tuesday the U.S. government had expressed its “disappointment” with India’s decision not to relax quality specifications. “We are very disappointed that the Indian government’s Committee of Secretaries and Ministry of Agriculture officials have decided against bringing India’s unrealistic wheat import phyto-sanitary requirements in line with international standards,” said a U.S. Embassy statement.

Mr. Pawar said the government had decided to wait for procurement season to finish before deciding on the quantities of wheat to be imported. The Food Corporation of India and State Government agencies have procured 110.9 lakh tonnesagainst 92.25 lakh tonnes procured last year.

Regarding the rising prices of potatoes and onions, Mr. Pawar said that it was a temporary phenomenon due to heavy rains in potato and onion growing States.

On his decision not to contest Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Pawar said he had been either in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly or in the Parliament for 41 years and “now someone else should come”.

He, however, dismissed speculation about his participation in the race for forthcoming elections to the office of Vice-President. “I am not in the race for Vice-President. I will not accept it.”

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