India and Brazil working to harmonize their certification systems

Source- This post India and Brazil working to harmonize their certification systems is based on the article “India & Brazil plan certification to regularize trade of genetic material” on 16th April 2024.

Why in news?

India and Brazil are working to harmonize their certification systems for the trade in biological genetic material as well as certificates for pork and fish.

About the Integrated certification

1. The ‘integrated certification’ will involve authorization by the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD).

2. The idea of the new certificates is to facilitate the imports. A health certificate is an official document issued by the exporting country, proving that the requirements established by the importing country are being met.

3. This will make it easier for India to receive regular imports of biological genetic material, fish, pork meat and their products.

Note: Biological genetic material is used for breeding and improving animal productivity.

4. It has been reported that Brazil will provide India bull semen genetic material to improve the productivity of Indian cattle. India through the National Dairy Development Board received its first batch of 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil.

Status of animal husbandry and dairy in India

1. India is home to the world’s largest livestock population. It is the top producer of buffalo meat and the largest global milk producer, with almost all its milk consumed domestically.

2. In 2022-23, milk production was stagnant, partly due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease.

3. About half of its milk output comes from indigenous and non-descript buffaloes, with another 20% from similar types of cows.

4. The 2023 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey reveals that daily per capita milk consumption is approximately 330 ml.

UPSC Syllabus: Economy (Trade)