EU Agriculture Commissioner Wojciechowski upbeat on India-EU FTA, lauds Indian farmers

European Union (EU) Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski is optimistic in regards to the conclusion of the India-European Union Free Replace Agreement next yr.

Talking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he stated, “Free Replace Agreement which is crucial on story of there might be huge capability for enchancment of our trade kinfolk.. Obviously the free trade agreement. I’m hoping that next yr will be trusty progress, and this agreement will be finalised”.

He also lauded Indian farmers, highlighting, “As a commissioner within the European Union, I am very grand in favour of the shrimp and medium-sized family farms. Nonetheless this is basically the most vital of Indian agriculture. For the explanation that majority of farms in India are one- two-hectare, shrimp farms, however they are very productive on this planet.”

The commissioner is leading a industry delegation of 50+ EU firm representatives from the agri-meals sector and held conferences with the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala.

WION: With me is the EU’s Agriculture Commissioner who’s right here in India. So my first question to you is what’s basically the most vital focal level of your India poke to?

Janusz Wojciechowski: This is my second poke to to India this yr. The first poke to used to be throughout the G 20. conference organized by the Indian presidency, very a hit presidency. We discussed our world challenges for meals safety. This poke to, this mission is namely dedicated to amplify our trade kinfolk bilateral kinfolk between European Union and India. I am accompanied by the representatives of the farmers, agribusiness from many sectors of meals manufacturing within the European Union. We would be pleased to work along with our Indian companions, with Indian authorities to amplify our trade relation , to decrease trade barriers that are no longer significant, that are crucial to amplify our trade trade kinfolk. For me for my portion, one among the crucial goals of this poke to is to establish what’s the phenomena of Indian agriculture for the explanation that amplify of agricultural manufacturing in India closing yr, closing decade is the easiest on this planet. The decade 2010-2020 agricultural manufacturing in India increased 34%, it below no circumstances took establish on this planet. This is the becoming result on this planet. As a commissioner within the European Union, I am very grand in decide on of the shrimp and medium sized family farms. Nonetheless this is basically the most vital of Indian agriculture. For the explanation that majority of farms in India are one- two hectare, shrimp farms, however they are very productive on this planet. It is significant to recollect that on this planet, shrimp farms no extra than two hectares, they remark up handiest 12% of agricultural land on this planet, however they place 35% of meals. This is first of the full contribution of the Indian farmers and I’d be pleased to congratulate them for their contribution to meals safety at the enviornment level.

WION: When it comes to the agriculture ingredient. What’s the scrutinize of the European Union when it involves the continuing talks on the FTA talks?

Janusz Wojciechowski: I’m hoping that the our poke to, my poke to and first of the full poke to of the our representatives of the industry and the instruct contact between the industry representatives from European Union and India will be helpful to search out to search out the answer, to finalize the Free Replace Agreement which is crucial on story of there might be huge capability for enchancment of our trade kinfolk. Now the value of European Union export to India is 1.4 billion euro which potential that one euro per capita in India for Indian patrons , however higher exports from India to the European Union 3.7 billion euro however there could be a remark for enchancment, huge enchancment for every aspect so that both advantages. First of all on story of our meals manufacturing is complimentary. We’re no longer opponents within the enviornment market. Would per chance maybe you imagine that now? India is one among 28 export destinations from the European Union. And 11 instructions for import. Worthy remark for folk to amplify. I am very elated, we are after the crucial conferences with Indian authorities, with ministers right here, it has been a obvious discussion and what we are succesful of also simply quiet attain to toughen, what roughly barriers we are succesful of also simply quiet snatch some distance from every aspect. It is miles a extremely optimistic meeting. Obviously the free trade agreement. I’m hoping that next yr will be trusty progress, this agreement will be finalized.

WION: Hold you ever had a dialog with India on milk manufacturing?

Janusz Wojciechowski: Sure, that’s India, it has the excellent milk manufacturing on this planet. There is remark for cooperation to replace journey, to replace knowledge technologies. It is miles a extremely crucial remark for our cooperation. Moreover the animal welfare points, European Union we are very honest. Our folk are very honest to animal welfare points. Nonetheless the motto for a range of, in actuality within the European Union, is what Mahatma Gandhi stated. He stated that the ethical progress of civilizations might per chance maybe simply furthermore be judged by how its animals are treated. This is an main motto for also for our action to toughen animal welfare requirements to toughen native weather and environmental requirements. We’ve the identical, the identical worry, the identical worry, to create our agriculture extra pleasant for the atmosphere, for native weather, to make certain that meals safety, to give a increase to the soundness of financial balance for our farmers.

WION: Any progress within the marketplace entry. I assume that has been a key self-discipline for the European Union and India offers subsidies for its farmers. Invent you watched that’s an self-discipline in India? We all know the farmers are no longer that rich as the farmers within the West.

Janusz Wojciechowski: Sure, however India also helps the farmers, there are hundreds of instruments to pink meat up farmers. We also snatch part in some applications, the European Union helps some applications, and helps shrimp farmers in India. First of all we are succesful of also simply quiet decrease the barrier for our cooperation, however also it be crucial co-operation at the worldwide level. We for the time being are in a extremely complicated time for our farmers be pleased in Europe.