Piyush Goyal said- India will never open its dairy sector: Trade deal with America in advanced stage; India’s strictness in dairy-agri sector continues

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal clearly said on Monday that India will never open its dairy sector. While explaining the details of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the media briefing, he said that the interest of farmers has been kept at the top.

Goyal said, we have not given any market access to sensitive sectors like rice, wheat, dairy, soya and other agricultural products in the India-New Zealand trade deal. In fact, America has many times demanded to sell its dairy products and genetically modified grains in the Indian market.

This statement of Goyal comes at a time when America and India are negotiating a trade agreement. He said that talks on trade deal between India and America are in advanced stage.

Dispute between India and America regarding dairy products

America wants its dairy products like milk, cheese, ghee to be allowed to be imported into India. India is the largest milk producing country in the world and crores of small farmers are engaged in this sector.

The Indian government fears that if American dairy products come to India, they could cause huge losses to local farmers. Apart from this, religious sentiments are also attached.

In America, enzymes made from animal bones (such as rennet) are added to the food of cows to provide better nutrition. India considers the milk of such cows as ‘non-veg milk’ i.e. non-vegetarian milk.

India is not in favor of removing the ban on modified crops

Along with this, America wants that wheat, rice, soybean, corn and fruits like apples, grapes etc. can be sold in the Indian market at lower taxes. He wants India to reduce its import duty on these.

At the same time, India imposes high tariffs on these for the safety of its farmers, so that Indian farmers are not affected by cheap imports. Apart from this, America has also been trying to sell GMO crops in India, but the Indian government and farmer organizations strongly oppose it.

Why is there opposition to modified crops in India?

Crops created by changing genes are called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). The US is the largest producer and exporter of GMO crops in the world. India has banned all modified crops except cotton. These modified crops are made scientifically.

Control of seeds and food safety by foreign companies in India is considered against the national interest. If India allows this, then the dominance of American companies in agriculture can increase. Apart from this, questions have also been raised on this crop regarding issues like health and environment.