07/12/2007 (The Economic Times), Kochi - The Centre has no immediate plans to ban import of palm oil through Bayport in Kerala or restrict its entry through other South Indian ports, Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said today.

"The Kerala government's plea to impose a ban on palm oil import through Beypore port is before the government. It is under consideration. If the situation warrants we might consider it. But as of now there were no immediate plans to ban import of palm oil through Beypore," the minister told a meet-the-press programme here.

Import of Palm oil through Kochi port had been recently banned by the Centre following a plea from Kerala which wants the ban to cover Beypore and other South Indian ports as well.

Imposing a ban on Palm oil through South India ports will not be "realistic" as it will have a multiplier effect in other states, the minister said.

"I am sensitive to import of Palm oil to the country. But we cannot impose a decision unilaterally," the minister said.

About 40 per cent of the Palm Oil India consumes is imported from Indonesia and Malaysia and 50 per cent of it imported through South Indian ports, he said.

Coconut oil was being consumed only in Kerala, while Palm oil is a preferred oil medium all over the country, he said.

Coconut oil was being consumed only in Kerala. The ban on import of palm oil has been imposed in Kochi port. There should be other ways of protecting the interests of coconut farmers, the minister said.

Under the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement there is great pressure on India to reduce duty on Palm oil. However, the government had decided not to reduce duty beyond 50 per cent, he said.