India raises concerns over agricultural exports to China Close.

NEW DELHI: India today said China has not provided "sufficient scientific evidences" for restricting export of its agricultural items to the neighbouring country.

China has banned imports of Indian basmati rice, fruits and vegetables.

"... China has not provided sufficient scientific evidence but have delayed the response in spite of several dialogue," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He said the issue of market access for Indian agricultural products has consistently been taken up with the Chinese authorities.

"However, the Chinese authorities repeatedly requested lifting India's ban on import of milk and milk products from China which was extended for six months on December 26, 2011," he added.

The minister informed that the export of basmati rice from India to China could not commence because of the issues of pest control and monitoring of quarantine pests in processing and storage houses in India.

"Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that processing and storage houses are free from pests as requested by China, has already been submitted to the Chinese side in January, 2010 which is yet to be accepted by the Chinese Quarantine Authorities," the minister said.

India had made request for selected 17 fruits and vegetables in September 2000 for granting approval for exports from India to China. The Chinese authorities provided market access for mangoes in 2004 and for grapes and bitter gourds in 2005, he said.

"The market access for remaining 14 fruits and vegetables is pending with Chinese side," he added.

In an another reply, Scindia said the special economic zone (SEZ) developers are requesting for de-notification of SEZs due to economic meltdown and non-availability of skilled force.

From December 2008 till March 15, the Board of Approval on SEZ has approved 46 cases for de-notification," he said.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com