In a strong message to the WTO, India said it would not ratify the trade facilitation pact until a permanent solution is found on food security.

Addressing a General Council meeting of World Trade Organisation in Geneva, Indian Ambassador to the WTO, Anjali Prasad said, during the past seven months no progress has been made on the public stock-holding for food security purposes. Amendment to WTO norms regarding stockpile of food grains is critical for India for implementation of its food security programme.

The current WTO norms limit the value of food subsidies at 10 percent of the total value of food grain production.

With India taking a strong stand, it will now be difficult for the developed nations to push their agenda of implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement.