In India, Bio Energy Times reported that the Indian Sugar and Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has called on the government to retain existing restrictions on ethanol imports, citing their critical role in advancing India’s ethanol blending program and supporting timely payments to sugarcane farmers.
In a letter addressed to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, ISMA referred to recent media reports suggesting that the government may be considering the removal of ethanol import restrictions as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
The association highlighted that policy measures under the National Policy on Biofuels — which classified ethanol imports for fuel blending as “restricted” — have been instrumental in building a robust domestic ethanol economy. According to ISMA, this framework, supported by interest subvention schemes and a favorable regulatory environment, has driven large-scale investments and expansion in indigenous ethanol production capacities.
The association also emphasized that allowing sugarcane and surplus grains to be diverted toward ethanol production at administered pricing has improved farm incomes and enabled timely payments to cane growers.
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