Indian scheme for agri-exports criticised at WTO

The new transport and marketing assistance scheme for farmers introduced by the Union government in March has been under fire at the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to Australia, the scheme may have flouted a WTO’s Nairobi Ministerial meet decision on curbing such subsidies.

The scheme provides assistance for the international component of freight and marketing of agricultural produce which is likely to alleviate the disadvantage of higher transportation charges of export of specified agriculture products in specified overseas markets. These markets include North America, the EU, some countries in South America, China, the ASEAN, New Zealand and Australia.