India's wheat export ban and usage of the peace clause to protect its food programmes against action from trade disputes have come under fire at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The US, Japan, Canada and Thailand have questioned both these measures and, along with Uruguay, requested consultations with India on the usage of the peace clause for exceeding the 10% ceiling on support it offered to its rice farmers.
"They are trying to test the limits of the peace clause as the recent ministerial outcome didn't give any clarity on it and the permanent solution for food stockpiles," an official said.
Another official based in Geneva said, "They said the ban has further rattled the already rattled food market." Japan, Brazil, Paraguay, Switzerland and Thailand had also raised questions about India's wheat and rice policies at the first agriculture meeting after WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) earlier this month, the person said.
Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com