Iraq’s rejection of wheat consignment not to affect export drive, says Centre

New Delhi, May 17: THE government said on Thursday the recent rejection of wheat consignment by Iraq would not hamper India’s foodgrains export drive, even as it sent a high-level delegation to Baghdad to examine the matter and suggest ‘corrective’ steps, if necessary.

"No, the rejection of wheat consignment will not affect the drive launched by India to export its surplus wheat and other commodities. We are following stringent norms to ensure good quality", food minister Shanta Kumar said.

Describing the rejection as an isolated case, he said the government promptly swung into action and sent a team of officials this morning to Iraq to ascertain the circumstances leading to the episode. Mr Kumar said the delegation, comprising senior officials of food ministry, Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Trading Corporation (STC), would find out the exact reasons behind the incident in the light of similar rejection of wheat shipments by Iraq from Canada and Argentina.

"The government will take appropriate actions and corrective steps, if necessary, on the basis of the findings of the team to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future as also to step up export of items like rice, corn and maize, besides wheat", he said.

Since the same consignment rejected by Iraq was later found to be of good quality in Dubai and sold there, it would be improper to conclude that the quality of wheat was poor, he said, adding "the truth will be known once the delegation comes back". The minister said the delegation would hold detailed talks with the Iraqi authorities including officials of their grain board and also study their trading procedures and certification norms. He said the government was optimistic about giving a boost to export of other commodities including rice, maize and corn to Iraq and the delegation would also explore possibilities of accelerating the process.
Asserting that government would not allow any compromise on the quality of wheat being dispatched abroad, he said there was considerable demand for Indian wheat in the international market. "We are keen to emerge as a regular exporter of wheat and therefore, particular about quality", he said.

He said 20 lakh tonne of wheat has been exported to different countries since November, 2000 and no one has raised any question about its quality. (PTI)