Amul, the country’s largest milk brand, and its parent, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), have expressed their strong opposition to dairy imports from New Zealand and Australia. This comes prior to an important meeting between the commerce ministry and dairy sector entities on the contentious negotiations regarding the proposed 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). NDDB chairman Dilip Rath says any decision to reduce the tariff barrier would encourage import of cheaper milk powder, which would imperil the livelihood of India’s dairy farmers. RCEP is India’s most ambitious trade pact under negotiation. Based on India’s existing free trade agreement with the 10-country bloc of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it will cover all major nations with which ASEAN has trade deals — China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
(Source: Business Standard)