To continue smooth exports of Basmati rice to Mauritius, India is for an early decision on putting in place the proposed export inspection and certification system for the same.
Last April, Mauritius had conveyed to the Government that the Basmati rice imported from India and Pakistan was being adulterated by local traders.
To regulate the import and sale of Basmati rice, Mauritian authorities sought a certificate of authenticity (CoA) to be issued by the Indian authorities for exports. Quick to respond, India nominated the Export Inspection Council as the nodal agency which will issue a certificate of authenticity (CoA) for all Basmati rice exports from India to Mauritius.
India has already shared a draft of the proposed agreement with Mauritius for recognition of Export Inspection and Certification System for export of Basmati rice.
Sources said that now India was looking for an early conclusion of the agreement.
The issue is likely to be raised by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma when he meets his counterpart Sayyad Abd-Al-Cader Sayed Hossen, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, in Mauritius at the the First Trade Ministerial Level Economic and Business Conference of Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC) nations in Port Louis starting July 4.
India exported cereals worth $37.9 million to Mauritius in 2012-13 which was 25 per cent higher than the previous year. Basmati rice is a unique GI product under the WTO and standards in India are dynamic in nature. Efforts are being made to harmonise the standards, an official said.
The Government of Mauritius also proposed an MoU, on the lines signed with the EU in this regard.
Mauritius had also asked for DNA testing of Basmati rice (prior to shipment), but India requested that exports may be permitted on the strength of the Export Inspection Council’s CoA.