Indian MPs in rice row

Indian rice farmers fear they will lose trade

By Adam Mynott in Delhi

Indian MPs brought parliament to a standstill as they protested about a ruling in the United States which they say will damage India's huge rice export market.

MPs wielding banners and shouting slogans stormed into the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament in Delhi, causing it to be suspended after a Texas company won a court case which will allow it to grow a strain of basmati rice.

Many farmers feel betrayed by the Indian Government

Basmati rice is grown mainly in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The Samajwadi Party MPs, who represent rural communities in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, say the decision by the US Patent Office is an attack on Indian farmers.

And they accuse the ruling coalition in India, the National Democratic Alliance, of betraying farmers and of being anti-agriculture.

The American company, RiceTec, has been granted patents to grow three varieties of long grain basmati rice.

But it cannot call them basmati and the Indian Government is claiming that the battle to protect its own rice growers has not been lost.

It says further legal action is likely and argues that the export of basmati rice from India will not be affected.