Shimla, Dec. 27 -- Apple growers from Himachal Pradesh have raised strong objections to the Indo-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, alleging that the reduction of import duty on apples from 50 per cent to 25 per cent will severely impact farmers across hill states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

A delegation of the Himachal Pradesh United Farmers' Organisation met State Horticulture, Revenue and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday, demanding immediate intervention by the Centre to safeguard domestic apple producers.

Speaking to ANI, the convener of the farmers' delegation, Harish Chauhan, said the agreement poses an existential threat to hill-state orchardists.

"The reduction of import ...