Market Access of 24 Identified Food Crops Will be Hampered Due To Non-GMO Certification Requirement

Recently a source said that “The US has raised fresh concerns over the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) order mandating non-GM origin and GM-free certification for import of 24 identified food crops, including apples, pineapples and wheat, and has argued that this was impeding joint efforts to increase market access for agricultural items.” 

At the recent India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meet, India justified its stand and requirement on non-GMO certification by re-emphasizing that GM food was not allowed in the country but it was insisted by Washington that there should be more discussions on the matter and exploration of alternatives. 

The source added that “The TPF joint statement does not specifically mention non-GMO certification as India did not want to give any commitments. Instead, it talks about exchanging information on standards and conformity assessment procedures to ensure the requirements are no more trade-restrictive than necessary and are in line with international agreements. There will be talks about the certification issue in the working of the TPF going forward, but India has not given any commitments.” 

Earlier this week Katherine Tai of USTR visited India on a two-day official tour and participated in the TPF, who met Piyush Goyal, her Indian counterpart after a gap of 4 years. A decision was made to revive working groups covering areas including agriculture, non-agricultural goods, service, investments, and IPs.  

Both the ministries issued a joint statement that mentioned that the two sides would follow up on exploring the possibility of enhanced market access for additional identified agricultural products. The statement was an addition to the agreement to finalize work on market access facilitation for mangoes and pomegranates, pomegranate arils from India, and cherries and alfalfa hay for animal feed from the US.   

“The US team said that enhanced market access for more agricultural products would be meaningless as the country may not be in a position to actually carry out the exports due to the mandatory GM-free certification requirement. This is why a resolution to the issue was needed”, according to the source.   

An order was published by FSSAI in August last year, specifying that every consignment of 24 identified food products needs to be accompanied by a non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate issued by the competent national authority of the exporting country. The requirements are difficult to adhere to for the US, as it has no restrictions on GM food in the country. After the implementation of the order in March 2021, the US complained at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the order had hit their apple exports from the country. 

“India needed to provide the scientific justification and the risk assessment for the measure and also suggested that technical discussions should take place between the two sides to explore alternative options and certifications”, was also highlighted.