India will not open dairy sector or allow GM imports, says Piyush Goyal

Government Announcements & Schemes

New Delhi: India will not open its dairy sector under free trade agreements (FTAs) or allow imports of genetically modified (GM) products, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said, reiterating the government's position on protecting sensitive agricultural sectors and domestic producers. Addressing students at Kirori Mal College in Delhi on Tuesday, Goyal said India had never opened its dairy sector to any trading partner and would maintain its position in future trade negotiations. He described dairy and GM products as sensitive issues, adding that India had consistently protected the interests of farmers, fishermen and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in its trade agreements. “We are very sensitive to opening our dairy. In fact, till date, we have never opened up dairy for anybody,” Goyal said. He also reiterated that India had never permitted imports of GM products and would not allow them in the future. “We are very sensitive not to allow any GM products to come to India and we have never allowed it and we'll never allow it in the future,” he said. The minister also referred to religious sensitivities associated with dairy products manufactured in some foreign countries. He said calf meat or rennet is...