bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

India FTAs & agriculture

Don’t trade our lives away in free trade negotiations
1-Oct-2019 Forum for Trade Justice
To sign the RCEP and start negotiations on a FTA with the US when the Indian economy is on the brink of economic downturn and needs strong domestic policies is a decision that is not in national or public interest.
Kerala govt calls for movement against RCEP
30-Sep-2019 The Hindu Business Line
The proposed agreement will have far-reaching consequences on dairying, agriculture and fishery sector sectors, says State Agriculture Minister
US, India keen to wrap up trade deal
18-Sep-2019 The Hindu
Both countries are frantically working on ways to resolve long-disputed trade issues, especially relating to medical devices, agriculture, and e-commerce.
NDDB wants dairy sector out of RCEP negotiations
17-Sep-2019 The Hindu Business Line
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has recommended the government to keep the dairy sector out of the purview of negotiations under the Regional Comprehensive Economic
RCEP talks: New Zealand ready to ease work-visa rules for India
13-Aug-2019 The Hindu Business Line
India’s demand for easier movement of workers and professionals is being considered seriously by New Zealand and could be met provided market barriers to the Country’s goods are eased
Keep agriculture and dairy out of RCEP negotiations, farmers’ body tells government
1-Aug-2019 Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers’ Movements
The RCEP will destroy farm livelihoods especially in the domestic dairy sector.
RCEP negotiations: Tea sector seeks protection from tariff cuts
26-Jul-2019 BusinessLine
As industry grapples with surplus production, reduction of import duties will create havoc.
RCEP talks: Threat of imports worries dairy players
24-Jul-2019 BusinessLine
Co-ops, private dairies oppose freely opening Indian markets to global dairy producers.
Indian dairy under threat from new trade deals
20-Jun-2019 GRAIN
Several new trade pacts that cater to transnational corporations, like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or the proposed deals pending with Europe, threaten to radically change the map and wipe out India’s small dairy producers.
24 farmers injured as UT police use sticks, water cannons to break stir
15-May-2019 Times of India
Hundreds of farmers from Punjab, under the banner of the Kisan-Mazdoor Sangharsh committee, were lathi-charged and faced water cannons by UT police.
PepsiCo controversy: Globally, India has always refused to give in on IPR on plant varieties
13-May-2019 The Wire
The struggle for farmers’ rights over their seeds and planting materials is not playing out only in India – it’s a global phenomena.
Farmer unions demand scrapping of RCEP pact
15-Mar-2019 Business Standard
About 40 farmer unions demanded the government walk out of the negotiations over the RCEP free trade agreement, saying it would be disastrous for the domestic agriculture sector if the pact comes through.
India: Peasant movements to scrutinise and expose the dangers of RCEP trade agreement
8-Mar-2019 Via Campesina
Several prominent peasant movements in India are holding a ‘National level consultation on the Impact of RCEP and other tree trade agreements on farmers and farming in India’ on 13th March in New Delhi.
RCEP talks: Farmers, civil society bodies warn against obligations on patenting seeds, plant varieties
4-Mar-2019 The Hindu Business Line
Farmer and CSOs stressing that India should not agree to obligations with respect to IP on seed and planting materials at the RCEP negotiations as it hurt the livelihood of poor farmers.
Sign-on letter from India against IPR on seed
25-Feb-2019 Forum against FTAs
A mega free trade agreement, like RCEP that undermines farmers’ seed freedoms in a mega diverse country, with seed diversity and farmers’ knowledge is unacceptable, say over 50 groups and citizens
India must keep agriculture out of RCEP
24-Jan-2019 The Tribune
India’s foray into the RCEP treaty is being seen as a risky adventure. More so at a time when agriculture is passing through a terrible agrarian crisis and manufacturing sector continues to limp
Indian farm product tariffs curbing Australian exports, says Minister
1-Aug-2018 Network 18
Australia exported A$1.3 billion ($964 million) of agricultural goods to China in 2015/16, according to the latest figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
RCEP: India must uphold peoples’ rights and welfare
11-Jul-2018 APRN
Joining the RCEP would definitely have economic, social and environmental costs for India. Threats to the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers due to cheaper imports are real and present danger.
States should be consulted before agreements are signed: CM
27-Jun-2018 Business Standard
The Chief Minister of Kerela, state of India said in regard to ongoing RCEP trade negotiations that the union government should consult states before signing international agriculture trade agreement and free trade agreements.
International trade pacts harming Kerala: Minister
23-Jun-2018 The Hindu
International trade agreements signed by the Centre without taking the States into confidence are posing a serious crisis to farmers in the state of Kerala, India Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has said.