GTRI urges stronger food safety regime before India-EU trade pact rollout

India must strengthen its food safety system and ensure foreign regulations are not used as disguised trade barriers, especially with the India-EU trade pact nearing implementation, an economic think tank's report said on Tuesday.

The Global Trade Research Initiative warned that in the absence of this system, India risks opening its market further to European food products while continuing to see its own agricultural exports rejected at European borders. 

In January, India and the 27-nation European Union announced the conclusion of a free trade agreement. It is likely to be signed by the end of this year and may come into force next year. 

"With the India-EU FTA nearing implementation, India cannot afford to remain weak on both fronts. It must strengthen its own food-safety system while ensuring that foreign regulations are not used as disguised restrictions on Indian exports," said the report prepared by GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava and Shantwna Dixit from the Centre for Environment and Agriculture.  

It suggested a modern, science-based, and reciprocal food-safety system for protecting consumers, supporting farmers, and securing the long-term agricultural export competitiveness of the country.