Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part IV. Trade Policies by Selected Sector: (2) Agriculture; (ii) Agricultural policy objectives: (a) Measures affecting imports: paragraph 19, page 130:
According to the Secretariat's Report, tariff rate quotas (TRQ) continue to be allocated on a pro rata basis by the Directorate General Foreign Trade and the authorities noted that the fill ratio of these quotas is low, apparently for a lack of demand due to high international prices of these commodities.
Could India please explain why it maintains and administers TRQs for which the fill ratio remains low?
Reply: These TRQs have emanated due to renegotiations on bound rate of duty of certain items. India has to maintain these TRQs even if the fill rate is low; otherwise the items which can be imported under TRQ with less duty will have to be imported at "out of quota rate", which is high.
Canada 65:
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part IV. Trade Policies by Selected Sector: (2) Agriculture; (ii) Agricultural policy objectives: (a) Measures affecting imports: paragraph 20, page 130:
The Secretariat's Report mentions that Indian "authorities may impose import (and export) restrictions on security, self sufficiency, and balance of payments reasons, and on health and moral grounds".
Can India please provide more information on whether import restrictions are imposed on animal products, i.e. live animals or meat products?
Reply: Import restrictions are imposed if there is a risk of the specific product bringing in one or more specific diseases which could adversely affect the health and safety of the human and animal populations of this country. Accordingly import restrictions are maintained on live animals as well as meat products in terms of quarantine certificates.
Canada 66, 67:
Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249): Part IV. Trade Policies by Selected Sector: (2) Agriculture; (ii) Agricultural policy objectives: (a) Measures affecting imports: paragraph 21, page 130:
According to the Secretariat's Report, "the number of sensitive items increased since 2007, from 300 to some 415 items".
Can India please elaborate on when and at which frequency it notifies these changes, on what grounds an item is determined as sensitive and on the process for notification?
Reply: Monitoring of imports of sensitive items is being done on a monthly basis. Any item is included in the list on a need based basis where it is felt that import should be monitored.
Also, can India please clarify if there are some items that can be considered sensitive while having an applied rate equal to 0%?
