BackWheat sales: India set to ink pact with US on import standards
Wheat sales: India set to ink pact with US on import standards
PremiumStocking up: India may buy five million tonnes of wheat this year.
Washington: India and the US are getting closer to an agreement on wheat import standards, which could allow new US wheat sales to India, diplomatic sources said on 29 May 2007.
Earlier this month, a team from New Delhi met with US agriculture department officials in Washington to discuss a host of plant safety issues that have stymied US wheat sales, sources at the Indian embassy in Washington said. “With regard to wheat, the two delegations made significant progress on the modalities of import," a source said.
India requires a lower level of weed seeds than typically requested in international tenders. Delving beyond those procedural but prickly issues is a priority for the US wheat industry as it seeks to start its grain flowing to India.
Phytosanitary rules that US officials deem “stringent" shut US wheat out of Indian purchases last year, when India bought 5.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat. India is expected to buy 4-5mt this year.
The Indian delegation, led by senior Union agriculture ministry official, P.K. Mishra, also visited wheat processing facilities in Oregon and Washington state. The source said they were “impressed" with what they saw.
The two sides are expected to hold another meeting via videoconference to agree on future steps. “We continue to work with India on procedures that would enable US wheat exports to that country," said Maureen Quinn, a spokeswoman for the agriculture department’s foreign agricultural service.
Lisa Haarlander in Chicago contributed to this story.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
