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India Mulling MBR Options

NEW DELHI - Mar 3/17 - SNS -- Government officials in India are suggesting the exemption which allows countries such as Canada to ship pulses without fumigating them with methyl bromide could be briefly extended while a permanent solution is developed.

The India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) has asked the government to grant a one year extension. The association also believes the country needs to be more flexible about what fumigants are used, arguing many countries use Aluminium Phosphine.

IPGA also argues that all consignments should be tested for quarantine pests and if they are "found to be free of quarantine pests, then the NOC (notice of compliance) should be given without any further MBR (methyl bromide) fumigation."

Speaking to reporters with The Hindu Business Line, Suresh Agarwal from Rika GLobal Impex said "countries like Australia, Canada, Ukraine and Africa . . . use other methods of fumigation than MBR. This is a rigid stand and hurting our imports."

Indian government officials said this week that they are willing to allow other chemicals to be used as long as the exporting country submits enough data to prove their efficacy. While expressing a willingness to allow another extension while countries like Canada compile the necessary data, Indian government officials stressed that they will not continue to allow imports of untreated pulses. The question is what chemical will be used.

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