Sharad Pawar, India's Food and Agriculture Minister, has responded to a letter from U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack that called for better market access for U.S. dairy products. Pawar's letter held firm on the current government position that limits market access noting that the country's cultural and religious sentiments will have to be respected. The response letter was reported through Indian news services.
Pawar reminded Vilsack of the historic level of Indo-U.S. trade ties and cautioned against holding those burgeoning relations hostage to one issue. The reiteration of the country's position came after Vilsack sent a letter to Pawar asserting that ag ties will be "jeopardized" if India did not show flexibility on the issue.
U.S. dairy products - in particular cheese - has been given a red flag by Indian officials that say it may hurt religious sentiments as the animal feed given to the cattle in the U.S. contains meat products. Pawar is reported to be open to a scientific analysis of the American position on the issue.
Countries exporting dairy products to India must certify that the source was "never fed feeds produces from internal organs, blood meal and tissues of ruminant origin."
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