Centre impose rules on pepper import from SL

Kochi, Nov 22: The Centre has imposed restrictions on import of pepper from Sri Lanka under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Spices Board has said.

According to an official release, the total import of pepper under the FTA with Sri Lanka would be restricted to 2,500 tonnes.

The quantum of imports for the current fiscal would be calculated by deducting the import of pepper made by the island nation under the agreement till yesterday, the release added.

The import during the last fiscal increased to 6700 tonnes from 4865 tonnes and 4915 tonnes in 2004-05 and 2003-04, respectively.

The present decision was in the wake of representations from farmers and recommendation from the Spices Board, the release added.

UNI