China Suspends Import Licenses of 3 Indian Rice Exporters, Terms Produce GMO Nagpur: In a new development in the Indo-China trade dispute over rice, Chinese authorities have suspended the import licenses of three Indian companies, one based in Nagpur, after rejecting their consignments on the grounds that the rice was genetically modified organism (GMO) material. This marks the first time in recent history that Indian rice exporters have faced such a suspension by China, raising concerns about the impact on India’s position as a global leader in rice exports. The three companies involved are Shriram Food Industry Ltd from Nagpur, Spone Enterprises Private Ltd based in Raipur, and NM Foodimpex Private Ltd from Haryana. Last month, Chinese authorities had rejected shipments of broken rice from these companies, alleging that the consignments contained GMO rice. Despite a non-GMO certificate issued by a Chinese state-owned agency, which operates a laboratory in Visakhapatnam, the rice was deemed unsuitable for import. The certificate, which The Times of India has access to, was reportedly issued before the shipments departed. Chinese officials have now instructed the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Development Export Development Authority (APEDA) to inspect the facilities of the three companies to determine whether the rice was indeed GMO. The suspension may be reviewed after APEDA’s findings, according to sources. However, the exporters argue that APEDA should instead investigate seed producers or growers, as rice mills only process paddy. The verification process, which falls under the ministry of commerce, is expected to be lengthy, delaying exports from these companies until the investigation concludes.#times_of_india #nm_foodimpex_private_ltd #shriram_food_industry_ltd #spone_enterprises_private_ltd
China Suspends Import Licenses of 3 Indian Rice Exporters, Terms Produce GMO Nagpur: Chinese authorities have suspended the import licenses of three Indian rice exporters, including one based in Nagpur, after rejecting their consignments as genetically modified organism (GMO) material. This marks the first time in recent history that Indian rice exporters have faced such a suspension by China, raising concerns about the impact on India’s position as a global leader in rice exports. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations over trade regulations and agricultural standards. The affected companies are Shriram Food Industry Ltd from Nagpur, Spone Enterprises Private Ltd based in Raipur, and NM Foodimpex Private Ltd from Haryana. Chinese officials reportedly turned back shipments of broken rice from these companies last month, citing GMO contamination. Despite a non-GMO certificate issued by a Chinese state-owned agency with a laboratory in Visakhapatnam, the consignments were rejected. The certificate, which the Times of India has access to, was reportedly issued before the shipments departed. Chinese authorities have now instructed the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Development Export Development Authority (APEDA) to inspect the facilities of the three companies to determine whether the rice was indeed GMO. However, the exporters argue that APEDA’s focus should be on seed producers or growers rather than rice mills, which only process paddy. The inspection process, managed by an agency under the Ministry of Commerce, is expected to be lengthy, potentially delaying exports from these companies until the review is complete. The suspension highlights a growing concern over China’s stringent non-GMO requirements for Indian rice imports.#india #china #shriram_food_industry_ltd #spone_enterprises_private_ltd #nm_foodimpex_private_ltd
