|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
European Union revokes Indian poultry meat import ban after five years
|
|
Saturday, 17 May, 2014, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Libin Chacko Kurian, Mumbai
|
|
fiogf49gjkf0d The European Union (EU) recently lifted the ban on Indian poultry meat imports to its member countries. The ban was imposed in 2009, owing to concerns about bird flu. However, the former has urged Indian exporters to adhere to stringent quality checks, and implement the amended model health certificate that would be issued by the Export Inspection Council of India for the export of poultry meat products.
Meat products, treated stomach, bladders and intestines prepared from the fresh meat of domestic poultry, including that of farmed and wild game birds, are exempted from the ban, with conditions. Since the import of poultry products from India commenced in 1997, the products have been accepted in the European markets, as they are not only of a superior quality, but also reasonably-priced.
In 2012-13, India exported 5,77,864.24 million tonne poultry products (worth approximately Rs 494.94 crore) overall. For the Indian poultry industry, it was an opportunity, as the European market for poultry and poultry products is huge. But exporters from India opined that the EU’s quality specifications are very stringent, and hence, exports to the EU member nations may not be very profitable.
Moreover, the commerce ministry and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have warned Indian exporters to be careful about consignments to Europe. Nagpal Chirkutrao Lohakare, assistant general manager, APEDA, said, “EU banned Indian poultry meat in 2009, due to the spread of the bird flu. But we succeeded in preventing the epidemic from spreading.”
“India has a great history of exploiting poultry products and meat to European countries. We would be able to continue exporting poultry meat, as the impediments have been removed. The European nations are a good destination for our poultry products,” he added.
Sunil Kumar, the authority’s general manager, said, “A transition period upto September 30, 2014 has been given for consignments accompanied by the existing health certificate, provided that the certificate was signed before July 30, 2014. Exporters are advised to comply with in respect of exports of poultry meat and products to EU.”
An official of the commerce ministry stated on the condition of anonymity that the EU’s changes in policy reeked of international politics. “The ban on Indian vegetables and fruit, such as mangoes, was also a part of this plan. Earlier, India expressed its concerns about insects found in chocolate imported from EU. The ban was termed premature and involved many calculated decisions,” he added.
“Even the recent revoking of the ban on poultry meat came with a number of restrictions concerning quality, which were not feasible for Indian exporters or the government. India was severely hit by the unwanted ban,” the official said.
In its decision notice, EU said, “The exporting counry must ensure credible inspection and controls throughout the production chain and all the relevant aspects of hygiene, animal health, animal welfare and public health. The Border Inspection Posts (BIP) of all European nations would check the items imported.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|