Shimla, July 17 -- The Himachal Apple Growers' Association on Friday expressed serious concern over the proposed India-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), warning that reducing or eliminating import duties on American apples and other agricultural products would severely affect the livelihoods of apple growers in Himachal Pradesh.

The concerns were raised at a meeting of the executive committee of the Association's Jubbal block, chaired by its president Sanjay Chauhan, in Jubbal.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the association said that apart from long-standing land-related issues, apple growers were now facing mounting economic challenges.

"The proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement poses a serious threat to the state's...