17/11/2007 (The Hindu), Kalpetta - Expressing concern over the Kerala High Court's refusal to accept the plea of the State and Central governments to vacate the stay on ban on palm oil import through Kochi port, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Saturday said it harmed the interests of coconut farmers.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a meat-processing factory in Manjadi near here, he said it was after prolonged protests by the LDF government that the Centre agreed to ban palm oil import.

The state government had filed an impleading petition in the case, seeking to lift the stay order.

The High Court decision, however, would adversely affect the 3.5 million coconut farmers in Kerala, he said.

The globalisation policy followed by the Centre would "break the backbone" of farmers in India, he said, adding the Centre had even allowed import of all sorts of things without imposing duty on them.