Exporters challenge India’s Basmati GI claim in EU

Published December 9, 2020
Pakistan has a thriving industry of Basmati exports, making it one of the top five exporting countries of rice in the world. — AFP/File
Pakistan has a thriving industry of Basmati exports, making it one of the top five exporting countries of rice in the world. — AFP/File

LAHORE: Pakistani rice exporters have formally challenged India’s claim on Geographical Indicator (GI) of Basmati rice in the European Union in a bid to prevent financial loss worth billions of rupees to the exchequer and local farming community.

The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) formally filed a Notice of Opposition on Monday (Dec 7) in the EU against Indian claim on the GI of Basmati acting on behalf of rice exporters and farmers of Pakistan who are at the risk of losing a billion-dollars’ worth of income.

The government will officially file a similar notice on Wednesday (today) as Thursday (Dec 10) is the last date for opposing Indian claims under the EU laws.

On late Tuesday night, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood took to social media platform on the issue. “I wish to inform that Pakistan has filed its opposition against the Indian application to European Commission for granting exclusive rights on the use of Basmati for its rice exports to European Union (EU). We assure the rice community that we will defend our case with due diligence and commitment,” said in a series of tweets.

A source said that Reap, which has previously been involved in developing and revising UK’s Code of Practice, has received a formal acknowledgement about the submission of the Notice of Opposition from Brussels and now it will have to submit a formal case against India within 90 days.

Pakistan has a thriving industry of Basmati exports, making it one of the top five exporting countries of rice in the world. India had sought protection of its Basmati rice as a GI product in the EU in a mala fide attempt to deter Pakistan’s growing export and appreciation of Basmati, exporters said.

Pakistan’s exports of Basmati to the EU have almost doubled in the last five years outpacing India’s. The importers and customers in EU appreciate Pakistani Basmati more than that of India due to its exotic aroma, sweeter taste and soft texture and above all in terms of Food Safety including pesticides which has resulted in increased demand, said Samiullah Naeem, a leading rice exporter.

“Basmati, being a centuries old heritage of Pakistan, cannot be allowed to be monopolised by India in the European market. Such a gross misrepresentation by India on the origins of Basmati is an attack on the values of fair competition among farmers and exporters in the EU,” he added.

Meanwhile, Reap is also working for an early legislation on GI rules in the country, enabling Pakistan’s exporters and farmers of Basmati to prevent their product from being used by others in the same name in international markets.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.