Why in the news ?
- The central government has further extended the ban on import of milk and its products, including chocolates, from China for six months till December.
More on news
- The ban was first imposed in September 2008 and later extended from time to time.
- The last ban imposed by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ended on June 23 this year.
- The ban was imposed on apprehensions of the presence of melamine in some milk consignments from China.
- Melamine is a toxic chemical used for making plastics and fertilisers.
- Although India does not import milk, milk products from China, it has imposed the ban as a preventive measure.
- India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of milk. It produces around 150 million tonnes of milk annually.
- Uttar Pradesh is the leading state in milk production followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Source
Indian Express