New Delhi, March 24 -- The India-European Union free trade agreement (FTA) has reduced tariffs on many agricultural exports, but these alone won't secure market access unless our exporters meet high EU import standards and sustainable production requirements.

The EU, through its Green Deal and subsequent directives such as those on deforestation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (EUCS3D), has implemented stiff regulations covering food safety, soil health and environmental and labour standards, including rules on greenhouse gas emissions and the wages, health, gender balance, age adequacy and work conditions of workers.

These issues are covered under different chapters of the India-EU trade deal. In the chapter on Trade ...