Alfalfa hay import delay sparks tensions in Indo-US trade talks, other food safety issues on the table

The environment ministry's apex regulatory panel on Genetically Modified crops cleared the way for the import of Alfalfa hay, used in animal feed, from the US back in July 2024 but it is still awaiting a final nod from the agriculture ministry - an issue raised in the on going Indo-US trade talks.While India and the US announced opening up alfalfa hay import back in 2021-22, India's final approval is still pending despite the risk assessment exercises across the ministries of health, agriculture, environment and food safety, and the Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The delay has been a major issue from the US side and has been repeatedly raised by them at various levels.The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) clearance for this politically sensitive item came following a report from the scientific panel of the FSSAI that termed it a livestock safe feed as there was "no living modified organism" in the US Genetically Engineered (GE) alfalfa hay and hence negligible environmental risk involved. It was also, therefore, not found violative of India's policy on Genetically Modified crops/food items if it is imported."In August 2022, the GEAC issued a 'no objection' to imports of GE alfalfa hay from the United States and referred the matter to the FSSAI. In October 2022, India's FSSAI raised concerns regarding the approval of GE animal feed imports, including alfalfa hay, impeding additional progress on this issue. The US raised the issue at the TPF ministerial meeting in January 2024, and India indicated its intention to address import approvals of alfalfa hay and other feeds. However, this remains pending," the March 31 US Trade Representative report has stated.The US Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), in its October 2024 report, also pointed out how the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is "reviewing the FSSAI and GEAC recommendations and will issue a notification authorising the import of all alfalfa hay, including GE varieties from the US." It is expected that this issue could be resolved soon.There is more progress, however, on other fronts.India is learnt to be readying to "rationalise" and relax food safety norms on ready-to-drink (RTD) low alcohol beverages - an issue raised by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) with India at multiple fora, including in its latest March 31 report.India currently only permits beverages with an alcohol content of 0.5-8% in the "low alcohol beverages" category.ET gathers that high-level discussions have been held to allow beverages with a 10%-15% alcohol content in this category - a concern raised by the USTR which pitched for more flexibility in the category - a proposal also largely supported by Indian industry.The latest USTR report of March 31, in fact, pointed to lack of clarity on "definitions related to single malt and single grain whiskies, brand owners, date markings, non-retail containers, multi-unit packs and spirits-based RTD standards."Similar discussions are being held on the FSSAI's Food Safety Standards (Alcoholic Beverages Amendment) Regulations of 2023 - also red-flagged in the March 31 USTR report.The US report has pointed to issues such as "lack of explicit protection" for Bourbon, Rye, and Tennessee Whiskey as distinctive products of the US, lack of acceptance of US certificate of analysis from chemists and laboratories certified by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the US Department of Treasury besides lack of clarity on minimum and maximum requirements for ethyl alcohol.It is learnt that specific details around these concerns have been sought from the US side to find early resolutions where required. For instance, FSSAI already permits import of US Bourbon, Rye and Tennessee Whiskey and they are already protected under the Geographical Indication regime. More clarity on protection concerns has been sought on the same.Details on where the US certificate of analysis has encountered non acceptance scenarios have also been sought.