Refrain from signing trade pact with US: Kerala to Centre

New Delhi: The Kerala government has flagged its “grave concern” over the India-US bilateral trade deal negotiations citing risks to crops like coconut, rubber, pepper, cardamom, tea, and coffee.

In letters to commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and agriculture and farmers welfare minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dated July 2, Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad said that any pact impacting agriculture necessitates consultations with state governments to avoid severe socio-economic and ecological con-sequences and urged them to “refrain from signing the agreement”.

“The introduction of GM crops and industrialized feed products threatens Kerala's agricultural biodiversity and the ecological balance of the Western Ghats, compromising food sovereignty and consumer health preferences,” Prasad said.


Indian trade negotiators are in the US since the last week and hectic parleys are going on to secure a deal before the July 9 deadline when the US’ high reciprocal tariffs are expected to set in.

“After thoughtful deliberation on the far-reaching implications of such concessions, we must register our firm and unequivocal opposition to any agreement that endangers the livelihoods of millions and threatens the very foundation of Kerala’s and India's agricultural economy,” Prasad said.

While Prasad acknowledged and commended “India's proactive efforts to secure tariff exemptions and expand market access for key labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, and engineering goods”, he said that NITI Aayog’s recommendation for duty-free imports of GM soyabean and maize contradicts India's policy prohibiting GM crops for food.