ISLAMABAD: Pakistani rice exporters on Tuesday claimed that the European Union has accepted their plea not to give India the exclusive rights to export Basmati rice to Europe. According to the stakeholders, the European Commission declared the notice of opposition and the statement of Pakistani exporters admissible.
Pakistani exporters had filed a detailed response to the EU in a notice of opposition against the Indian claim over the geographical indicator (GI) tag of Basmati rice in the bloc.
Last year, India had asked the EU to recognize the fragrant, long-grain staple as originating in seven Indian states and territories, which would give its producers exclusive rights to the Basmati label in the lucrative European market. Pakistan, however, opposed India’s claim, arguing that its farmers also grow top quality Basmati rice.
“Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) had filed a notice of opposition on December 7, 2020, against India’s claim on GI of Basmati in the EU,” the association said in a statement. “REAP took this step on behalf of rice exporters and farmers of Pakistan who are at risk of losing a billion-dollars’ worth of income,” the statement said.
Since 2006, the EU has applied zero tariffs on rice imported into the bloc that has been authenticated by either Pakistani or Indian authorities as genuine Basmati. “India had sought the protection of its Basmati as a GI product in the EU in an attempt to deter Pakistan’s growing export and appreciation of Basmati,” the association of rice exporters said.
The European Commission made REAP a party to the case. “Now, REAP can advocate for the protection of Pakistan’s GI rights over Basmati directly,” the REAP statement added.
India is the world’s biggest Basmati exporter and meets 65% of the global demand for the aromatic rice. Pakistan, which is one of the Top 5 exporters of rice in the world, meets the remaining requirement and earns $800 million to $1 billion annually from its exports.
A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess origin-based qualities and reputation in the region.
“With the admissibility of REAP as a party, the case of Pakistan in EU has reached its third stage where all the contesting parties will engage in consultations with each other,” the REAP statement said. “The time period for the parties to engage in negotiations is three months. The negotiations will last, tentatively, till May 6. This is a pre-trial phase, whereby, parties are encouraged to reach an amicable solution,” it added.
It further stated that in case no settlement is reached, the fourth stage of trial will commence in the tribunal of the Directorate General Agriculture, European Commission.
Pakistan had only recently registered Basmati rice as GI under Geographical Indications Act 2020.
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com