The Hindu Business Line : Starch makers seek ban on maize exports

The All-India Starch Manufacturers' Association has demanded a reduction in import duty on maize and ban on its exports. It said production was likely to be lower this year than in 2005-06.

Addressing a press conference here, the association's President, Mr Amol Seth, said this year's overall maize production, estimated to be 12.8 million tonnes (mt), would be less than the projected demand of 13.86 mt.

Last year, prices of maize had shot up initially but the fears of bird flu and other diseases kept the demand in check. A continued pressure on maize prices would have a spiralling effect, causing increase in prices of all the products of maize consuming industries.

Mr Seth demanded that the Government urgently review the existing import and export policy with regard to maize. The current Exim Policy has no restrictions on exports and a quota of four lakh tonnes of import on actual-user basis has been fixed at a duty of 15 per cent. A duty of 60 per cent is levied on imports above four lakh tonnes.

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