India may push for permanent food stock rules

India may seek a permanent solution to the issue of public stockholding for food security during the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference starting on 12 June in Geneva.

• India had informed WTO that the value of its rice production in 2019-20 stood at $46.07 billion and that subsidies worth $6.31 billion, or 13.7%, were given, above the 10% limit.
• Developing nations such as China and African nation part of the G33 group have also raised this issue at WTO.
• WTO rules do not allow export of commodity from public stock because it distorts prices, which affects other countries.
• However, the same is allowed if exports are done at market prices.
• Other countries argue that you (India) give subsidy on the production as well as at the distribution end.

India’s stand

• According to current WTO rules, a member country’s food subsidy bill should not breach 10% of the value of production based on the base price of 1986-88.
• Although India is seeking amendments in the formula to calculate the food subsidy limit.
• India is also seeking to add government programmes that were started after 2013 in the peace clause agreed in the Bali ministerial meeting.
• Under this clause, WTO members agreed to refrain from challenging any breach of the prescribed ceiling of 10% by a developing nation.
• The developing countries cannot be taken to arbitration as they are protected under the peace clause.
• However, the clause is applicable till a permanent solution is reached.
• Currently, the peace clause only includes the government programmes started before 2013.
• India wants government programmes started after 2013 to be included in the calculation.