Farmers’ Bodies Demand Agri & Dairy Be Kept Out of US FTA

A network of farmers’ organisations, led by the Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM), has formally urged the Government of India to exclude all aspects of agriculture — including dairy — from any proposed bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. The appeal emphasises protecting India’s smallholder farmers and dairy producers from the risks of cheap, subsidised imports that could destabilise domestic markets.

In a letter to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the ICCFM warned that granting duty-free or low-tariff access for American agricultural and dairy products could severely undermine the livelihoods of Indian producers, disrupt rural economies and threaten food sovereignty and security. The farmers’ body argued that the U.S. agricultural sector is heavily subsidised — enabled by the US Farm Bill’s large outlays — and that unfettered access to the Indian market might flood it with cheap imports, hurting local farmers unable to compete on cost.

The organisations also raised biosafety and transgenic crop concerns, pointing out that many U.S. exports include genetically modified grains such as corn and soybeans, which are sensitive subjects in Indian policy debates over import standards. They urged that if Indian negotiations overlook these critical issues, protests and resistance would intensify across farming communities.

India’s cautious stance on FTAs already reflects similar thinking; in recent agreements with partners like New Zealand, the country has kept agriculture and dairy sectors outside tariff-cut commitments to protect farmers and rural livelihoods.

Sopurce : Dairynews 7x7 Jan 6th 2026