A Brazilian Minister stated that India and Brazil are collaborating to attend their certification systems, particularly in the veterinary field. This joint effort aims to enhance collective trade and promote technical cooperation in various areas such as animal genetic material, pork meat, fish, and fish products.
Animal genetic material is utilized for breeding and enhancing animal productivity.
The minister explained that the introduction of ‘integrated certificates’ is expected to simplify the process of importing genetic material, fish, pork meat, and related products into India. These certificates will be authorized by both the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) and the Ministry of Fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
By combining animal health and food safety requirements into a single document, based on mutual recognition, India aims to facilitate regular imports of these goods.
Angelo de Queiroz Mauricio, the agricultural attaché at Brazil’s ministry in New Delhi, mentioned that a meeting took place last month with DAHD officials. The meeting focused on new certificates for bovine embryos and semen, as well as discussions on feathered genetic materials such as fertile eggs and day-old chicks.
We are referring to innovative inputs and resources that can boost Indian productivity and support local farmers. These include new animal nutrition products and fertile eggs, which have the potential to improve egg production, enhance feed conversion ratios, and promote daily weight gain.
India has the largest population of livestock in the world and is the top producer of buffalo meat. It is also the leading milk producer globally, with the majority of its milk being consumed within the country.
Despite this, milk production in 2022-23 did not see any significant growth due to various factors, such as an outbreak of lumpy skin disease.
According to a previous report by Mint, Brazil has agreed to supply India with bull semen genetic material to enhance the productivity of Indian cattle. In January, the National Dairy Development Board of India received its initial shipment of 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil.
Having access to quality genetic material opens up various possibilities. By exporting bovine embryos or fertile eggs, Indian producers can enhance efficiency and boost productivity. To make this happen, discussions on veterinary health certificates are crucial. The Brazilian Government has proposed new certificates to their Indian peers, and efforts are being undertaken to finalize the details.
The two parties are also in talks about creating an integrated certificate that combines the requirements for various purposes across different departments or institutions into a single document.
For instance, a comprehensive integrated certificate could include both the food safety requirements overseen by FSSAI and the animal health regulations managed by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
At the time of publication, queries sent to the ministry and FSSAI had not been answered.
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