Import policy of Peas (including Yellow peas, Green peas, Dun peas and Kaspa peas) was revised from ‘free to ‘restricted’ initially for a period of three months with effect from 01.04.2018 till 30.06.2018 with a quota of one lakh MT.  Restriction was extended for a further period of three months till 30.09.2018. Again it was extended till 31.03.2019. These are all available in public domain in DGFT’s website: dgft.gov.in.

Several WTO Members questioned India at the WTO Committee on Agriculture as well as in the bilateral meetings on the basis on which India imposed quantitative restrictions (QRs) and its consistency with WTO rules. India has stated that the imposition of QR was a temporary measure undertaken to protect the small and marginal farmers from adverse impact of drop in prices. Thereafter, such measures are reviewed on a regular basis initiatives are taken to support domestic producers.

This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, C. R. Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MM/SB