India has support of 46 countries over food security concerns, WTO TFA: Rajeev Kher

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The Indian government has allocated around 58.8 million tonnes of foodgrains in FY2013-14 for Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/ National Food Security Act (NFSA), and other welfare schemes. It is over 23% of India’s total annual foodgrains production of around 250 million tonnes.

  Rajeev Kher, India’s Commerce Secretary, has said that 46 countries in the G33 group have endorsed India’s stand that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) should first address food security concerns before finalising the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Speaking at an Interactive Session with the Heads of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) from Africa organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, Rajeev Kher pointed out that India is not the only country opposing the conclusion of TFA and several other developing countries are likely to raise similar concerns in future. He also sought the support of other African countries when WTO members meet in September 2014 to negotiate TFA which aims to cut red tape and make global trade easier. The Indian government says that it is committed to TFA, but is concerned that WTO members may place talks on government food stockpiling limits on the back-burner if the TFA is ratified. WTO has proposed to limit government food stockpiling at 10% of total production which prohibits India from implementing the National Food Security Law.  An interim solution, agreed in the WTO Bali ministerial conference, allows developing countries to continue food programs until 2017. However, India wants the interim solution to continue until a permanent one is agreed upon by WTO members. Rajeev Kher said that there are around 21 countries which are likely to be affected by the WTO norms on public food stockpiling limits and may support India’s stand in the WTO meeting next month. Earlier this week, in a meeting with Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of UK, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s support for TFA but added, "WTO has to move forward simultaneously on all the agreements reached in Bali, including on food security, to address the interests of all sections of society, particularly the poor people." G33 is a group of 46 developing countries that includes India, China, Pakistan and several African countries. Some WTO countries are opposed to India’s stand and claim that government agriculture subsidies is market distorting.