New Delhi, June 17: The ban on milk and milk product imports from China, which was to have expired June 24, has been extended by another six months, the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said.
“The central government hereby extends the prohibition on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products…, for a period of six months from 24 June, 2009, and until further orders,” said a DGFT notification.
The decision was taken after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sought a three-month ban on importing dairy items from China.
As per data with the commerce and industry ministry, India imported around 10 tonnes of cheese from China last fiscal.
About 20 countries including Myanmar and Hong Kong have stopped import of Chinese milk products.
India, the largest producer of milk in the world, accounts for 15 percent of global production.
It also intends to increase production to 111 million tonnes annually by 2010 from 101 million tonnes currently.
–Agencies