Germany criticized India’s decision to restrict wheat export from the G7 stage. German agriculture minister cem ozdemir after G7 agriculture ministers meet said “if everyone starts to impose export restrictions or to close market that to worsen crisis”, further German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that How serious this crisis is and we need to work together. Germany is the G7 chair. This is the first international reaction after export restriction.
After that the indian embassy in Germany issued statement, which reads out that “India’s export policy for wheat to manage the overall food security situation in overall India and to support the needs of neighbouring and vulnerable countries”. The Secretary of Department Food and Security, Sudhanshu Pandey and the secretary of Agriculture and commerce, Manoj Ahuja yesterday in a presser Said that directing the wheat exports through government channels would not only ensure fulfilling the genuine needs of our neighbours and food-deficit countries but also control inflationary expectations.
The export restriction would be attract more possible international reaction. Similarly, Indonesia had banned palm oil export but, it is facing gross international pressure and, Thailand and other 52 countries are also planning to submit proposal against export ban on agriculture products to the world trade organization’s 12th Ministerial Conference at Geneva.
Therefore, The World Trade Organization’s GATT 1994, Article 11 prohibits export bans but, it has some exceptions. The GATT 1994, Article 11 (2)a states that “export prohibitions or restrictions temporarily applied to prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodstuffs or other products essential to the exporting”.
Other than that WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture, Article 12 states that if any member wants to prohibit or restrict export on foodstuffs it shall undertake two actions. Firstly, it shall give due consideration to the effects of such prohibition or restriction on importing members food security.
Second, before instituting the measure, it shall give notice to the Committee on Agriculture including information on the nature and duration of the measure. It can be said that India’s export policy change considers neighbouring countries concerns, which is fulfilling first condition of the Agreement on Agriculture, Article 12. Although, this matter would be arisen at WTO Ministerial Conference at Geneva, scheduled for June 12.
