Deoiled Soya Bean Import Opened, NTB Relaxed

· Import Allowed from Nhava Sheva Port and LCS Petrapole, till 31st October, 2021

· Quota of 12 Lakh Metric ton of Crushed and De-oiled GM Soya Cake (only Non living Organism)

Government of India has relaxed the rules for import of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (Non-livingq organism only) on 24 August 2021. This is going to benefit the farmers, poultry farmers and fishermen in a big way.

Application of provision as in Condition 6(b) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy Schedule — I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) 2017 has now been relaxed to allow imports of 12 Lakh Metric ton of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (only Non living organism) under ITC HS codes 23040020 and 23040030 from Nhava Sheva port and LCS Petrapole, till 31st October, 2021 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

The said relaxation comes after clarification and prior permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that "Since soya de-oiled and crushed (DOC) cake does not contain any living modified organism, this Ministry has no concerns and no objection for import of soya cakes from an environmental angle".

Further, in order to ensure the import quantity of 12 lakh Metric ton is not breached, strict monitoring will be carried out by CBIC through the customs authorities at respective ports.

This decision will positively impact farmers, poultry farmers, and fishermen

[DGFT Notification No. 20/2015-2020 Dated 24th August, 2021]

Effect of the Notification: Application of provision as in Condition 6(b) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy Schedule – I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) 2017 is relaxed to allow imports of 12 Lakh Metric ton of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (only Non-living organism) under ITC HS codes 23040020 and 23040030 from Nhava Sheva (INNSA1) port and LCS Petrapole (INPTPB), till 31st October, 2021 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Subject: Relaxation in applicability of provision in Para 6 (b) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy Schedule – I (Imports) of the ITC(HS) 2017, Schedule – I (Import Policy).

S.O. 3464(E).—The following communications have been received regarding the import of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (Non-living organism only):

1 (i) Vide DO No. R-43011/2/2021-Anim_Dadf dated 27.7.2021, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying sought permission/approval of MOEF&CC for allowing import of 12 Lakh MT crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (Non-living organism) upto 31st October 2021, or earlier;

(ii) In response to the above, MOEF vide OM dated 6.8.2021, has clarified that, “Since soya de-oiled and crushed (DOC) cake does not contain any living modified organism, this Ministry has no concerns and no objection for import of soya cakes from environmental angle”;

(iii) DoCA vide F. No. M-1/1/2020-PMC dated 16.8.2021 and Corrigendum dated 16.8.2021 has conveyed the approval of the Competent Authority to facilitate the import of 12 Lakh ton of GM soya deoiled cake; and

(iv) DAHD vide letter dated 19.8.2021 has communicated those imports may be facilitated at 2 ports namely, Nhava Sheva (sea port) and Petrapole border (land port);

2. Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3 read with Section 5 of FT(D&R) Act, 1992 and paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby relaxes the provision in Para 6 of General Notes Regarding Import Policy, Schedule – I (Imports) of the ITC(HS), 2017.

3. Accordingly, Condition No. 6 (b) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy Schedule -I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) 2017 will not apply to the import of 12 Lakh Metric ton of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (only Non-living organism) under ITC HS codes 23040020 and 23040030 till 31st October, 2021 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, only from Nhava Sheva (INNSA1) port and LCS Petrapole (INPTPB).

4. Strict monitoring of import quantity of the above items through the designated ports shall be carried out by CBIC through the customs authorities at the respective ports to ensure that the quantity of 12 lakh Metric ton is not breached.

This issues with the approval of the Minister of Commerce & Industry.

[F. No. M-5012/300/2002/PC-2[A]/Part-VI/E-9019]