India publishes document on possible changes to inspection procedures
According to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Foreign Agricultural Service’s (FAS) post in New Delhi, the FSSAI has published a draft order on the proposed changes, which include the development of a procedure to inspect and monitor slaughtering and processing plants before granting market access to export trading partners. However, there are no further details on what these new procedures will be.
"It also has introduced modified text for some requirements currently included in veterinary import certificates for imported meat and poultry products," according to the FAS’ Global Agricultural Information Network report.
The document, published on 16 January 2015, states that the FSSAI will work with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries to modify veterinary import certificates, and that it will require a country’s competent authority to certify to Indian import requirements.
According to the FAS report, the modified text on veterinary import certificates specifically prohibits poultry meat from being slaughtered and processed in the same facility as bovine and porcine meat.
It also states that meat-producing animals will not be fed with feed "containing meat and/or bone meal, including internal organs, blood meal and tissues of bovine or porcine origin materials except milk and milk products".
Interested parties are required to submit comments and/or suggestions by 20 March 2015. The order is due to come into effect on 1 July 2015.
