LAHORE: Pakistani rice exporters have formally challenged India’s claim on Geographical Indicator (GI) of Basmati rice in the European Union in a bid to prevent financial loss worth billions of rupees to the exchequer and local farming community.

The Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) formally filed a Notice of Opposition on Monday (Dec 7) in the EU against Indian claim on the GI of Basmati acting on behalf of rice exporters and farmers of Pakistan who are at the risk of losing a billion-dollars’ worth of income.

The government will officially file a similar notice on Wednesday (today) as Thursday (Dec 10) is the last date for opposing Indian claims under the EU laws.

On late Tuesday night, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood took to social media platform on the issue. “I wish to inform that Pakistan has filed its opposition against the Indian application to European Commission for granting exclusive rights on the use of Basmati for its rice exports to European Union (EU). We assure the rice community that we will defend our case with due diligence and commitment,” said in a series of tweets.

A source said that Reap, which has previously been involved in developing and revising UK’s Code of Practice, has received a formal acknowledgement about the submission of the Notice of Opposition from Brussels and now it will have to submit a formal case against India within 90 days.

Pakistan has a thriving industry of Basmati exports, making it one of the top five exporting countries of rice in the world. India had sought protection of its Basmati rice as a GI product in the EU in a mala fide attempt to deter Pakistan’s growing export and appreciation of Basmati, exporters said.

Pakistan’s exports of Basmati to the EU have almost doubled in the last five years outpacing India’s. The importers and customers in EU appreciate Pakistani Basmati more than that of India due to its exotic aroma, sweeter taste and soft texture and above all in terms of Food Safety including pesticides which has resulted in increased demand, said Samiullah Naeem, a leading rice exporter.

“Basmati, being a centuries old heritage of Pakistan, cannot be allowed to be monopolised by India in the European market. Such a gross misrepresentation by India on the origins of Basmati is an attack on the values of fair competition among farmers and exporters in the EU,” he added.

Meanwhile, Reap is also working for an early legislation on GI rules in the country, enabling Pakistan’s exporters and farmers of Basmati to prevent their product from being used by others in the same name in international markets.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2020