Milk Import

NCP chief and former agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday opposed any government plan to import milk products such as butter and ghee, contending that it would impede the revival of the dairy sector. In a letter to Parshottam Rupala, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Pawar referred to media reports about the government's "intention" to import dairy products such as butter and ghee. "Any decision by the central government in this regard will be totally unacceptable because the import of these products will directly affect the income of the domestic milk producers," Pawar said. He said the dairy farmers have recently come out of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis and such a decision will severely impede the sector's revival process. "My concern may please be heeded. I shall be happy if the matter is looked into and the ministry deters itself from taking any decision to import the milk products," Pawar said. Animal Husbandry and Dairy Secretary Rajesh

India usually imports high-value milk products but not mass-consumed items

The hike -- which comes days before Janmashtami celebrations and months ahead of the flush season when milk supplies usually rise -- may impact household budgets

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday denied farm leader Rakesh Tikait's allegation that there is a proposal to import milk from Australia.

This comes prior to an important meeting between the commerce ministry and dairy sector entities

Although India does not import milk, milk products from China, it has imposed the ban as a preventive measure