Union minister of commerce and industry Kamal Nath said on Thursday that as food safety is a prime concern in the international trade in food products, the government is moving towards introducing an "integrated food law" to make the Indian food industry globally competitive.
The commerce minister said that the integrated food law will help meet the requirements of international trade. Mr Nath said, "the proposed legislation would aim at ensuring a proper management of the food safety system. It intends to set up a ‘single line of command’ from the present multi-level and multi-departmental control."
"There will be a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, regulations and enforcements," said Mr Nath. He was speaking at the 15th annual awards function of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) here on Thursday. During the year 2004-2005, the total agro exports, including plantations and marine products, registered an increase of 7 per cent over the previous year, informed Mr Nath. However, during the same period, the export of Apeda monitored products grew by about 15 per cent.
Mr Nath pointed out, "our share in the global trade in agro products, which is presently 1.4 per cent, is far below the potential in view of the fact that India possesses the largest area of irrigated land and we are the 3rd largest producer of food in the world."
Mr Nath also said that in the present product patent era, Indian companies, particularly those which are engaged in the speciality areas like bio-technology and herbal products, ought to work to expand their product portfolio through innovations. Mr Nath said that MNCs should launch their patentable products for a growth driven by high value, low volume products.
The commerce minister said that the integrated food law will help meet the requirements of international trade. Mr Nath said, "the proposed legislation would aim at ensuring a proper management of the food safety system. It intends to set up a ‘single line of command’ from the present multi-level and multi-departmental control."
"There will be a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, regulations and enforcements," said Mr Nath. He was speaking at the 15th annual awards function of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) here on Thursday. During the year 2004-2005, the total agro exports, including plantations and marine products, registered an increase of 7 per cent over the previous year, informed Mr Nath. However, during the same period, the export of Apeda monitored products grew by about 15 per cent.
Mr Nath pointed out, "our share in the global trade in agro products, which is presently 1.4 per cent, is far below the potential in view of the fact that India possesses the largest area of irrigated land and we are the 3rd largest producer of food in the world."
Mr Nath also said that in the present product patent era, Indian companies, particularly those which are engaged in the speciality areas like bio-technology and herbal products, ought to work to expand their product portfolio through innovations. Mr Nath said that MNCs should launch their patentable products for a growth driven by high value, low volume products.