India Plans to Push WTO to Ease Subsidy Rules on Grain Purchase
- WTO ministerial conference to be held between Feb. 26-29
- New Delhi won’t discuss other issues before sorting grain plan
Workers unload paddy rice at a market in Narvana, India.
Photographer: Anindito Mukherjee/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
India will continue to push the World trade Organization to ease subsidy rules for its public grain-procurement program at next month’s ministerial meeting, an official said.
The world’s most-populous nation procures grains including wheat and rice from farmers at predetermined prices, and then subsidizes it through the public distribution system to feed the poor. Buying food grains at predetermined prices is considered a subsidy for farmers under WTO rules, and trade distortion by developed countries.