Reply: There is no product at present on which import restriction has been imposed on the grounds of self sufficiency.
31. When does India consider "moral" as a legitimate objective to implement technical barriers or sanitary barriers? (Page xii, paragraph 15)
Reply: Under Article XX(a) of GATT, measures necessary for protecting of public morals are permissible.
32. Could India further elaborate on price support system that applies to basic commodities? Are these price control mechanisms reported as Amber Box to the Committee on Agriculture? (Page xiii, paragraph 19, page xiv, paragraph 23, and pages 120 124, paragraphs 208 218)
Reply: As indicated in response to similar questions from some other Members, all perishables, which include fruits, vegetables, oil palm, areca nut etc. are covered by a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). MIS operations are used in exceptional circumstances to prevent distress sale by farmers.
Certain crops are covered under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations. The crops covered during 2009 10 are indicated at footnote 26 under paragraph 33 of the Secretariat Report. There is no change in the coverage except exclusion of Tobacco from 2008 09 onwards.
