New Delhi: Keeping in view of the urgency, the government on Wednesday allowed import of feed-grade maize at a confessional import duty of 15 per cent, against prevailing 60 per cent, to meet the shortage of poultry feed in the country. Also, the import of up to one lakh tonne feed-grade maize will be allowed for actual users, according to a government notification.
“Applications are invited from state trading enterprises for import of feed-grade maize (corn) under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme at 15 per cent customs duty and meant only for actual users. The import for trading purpose is not allowed,” Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notice.
The move came after the government receiving many representations from the poultry sector, highlighting an unprecedented shortage of feed-grade maize, mainly because of draught, pest attack and significant reduction in cultivable areas.
The notice said import under TRQ of 5 lakh tonne is temporarily under suspension due to an order of the Hyderabad High Court on December 31, 2014.
