India should keep dairy products out of all free trade pacts: Balyan

Three of the regions India is said to be in trade talks with are significant milk producers themselves; Balyan also bats for further hike in milk procurement prices

As India plans to sign a slew of Free-Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several countries in the near future, the ministry for animal husbandry is of the firm view that milk and dairy products should never form part of any such trade deal to protect the interest of farmers, minister of state Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said.

According to sources, India is planning to enter into FTAs with the United Kingdom, Canada, European Union (EU), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Israel.

It has already signed FTAs with UAE and Australia in the last few months. Of all, these countries, UK, Canada and EU are