India, China rice trade comes to a halt even as Beijing revokes 7 rice exporters’ registration
China has revoked registrations of seven Indian rice exporters over alleged GMO presence, effectively halting rice trade between the two countries. The affected exporters are from Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Three had earlier been suspended, while an Indian official questioned China’s motives.
China alleges the presence of GMO in Indian rice consignments, but no GM food crop is grown in the subcontinent as stakeholders slam the move as ‘malafide’
Rice trade between China and India has grind to a halt after Beijing revoked the registrations of 7 Indian rice exporters on the alleged presence of genetically modified organisms. The development comes after having suspended three of them earlier this year.
The revocation of the registrations by the General Administrations of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) is actually a ban on these exporters, including the three suspended ones. The companies are based in Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
“China’s intentions are malafide. It has resorted to this step since its rice requirements for this year have been fulfilled,” said an official source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
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Source: The Hindu Business Line.
