Deliberating Ways on Boosting EU -India Trade in Agri-food Products

European Union and India are the world’s biggest democracies and economies. The EU is in a prime position when it comes to global trade. Both India and EU have vast domestic markets and a strong entrepreneurial tradition. There is an enormous potential for both sides to benefit from the reinforced trade, economic and investment relations. In order to better explain how the European Union guaranteed that its food and beverage products are safe, authentic and of high quality, it is organizing the EU Seminar on Food Standards, Farming Policy and trade from 10-11 October 2019. 

The Seminar was opened by His Excellency Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India, Mr John Clarke (Director, European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development - International Relations) and Mr Pawanexh Kohli, Advisor, National   Centre for Cold Chain development were also spoke at the opening ceremony. The Seminar will also deliberate on ways to boost EU-India trade in agri -food products, present EU standards for food safety and quality and promote understanding of EU agri food systems. 

The Seminar has brought together food, farming policy experts, from the European Union, representative of major EU food sectors (including meat, diary, fruits, vegetables as well as wines and spirits). Indian government, research, academia and business representatives. The EU and India will have the opportunity to share views and exchange best practices on policy and regulatory perspectives on harmonized food safety and quality model and sanitary and phytosanitary standards in the world that can ultimately benefit both farmers and consumers. 

His Excellency Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India in his presiding speech referred to the new opportunities coming up from India’s modernization agenda which have led to vibrant EU-India partnership on water, resource efficiency, clean and renewable energy and climate change as well as on sustainable urbanization, bringing opportunities for businesses on both sides. Building on this momentum he said that they hope to soon launch a new partnership on circular economy and possible on blue economy. 

He also referred to a project that will set up platforms that facilitate business to business cooperation and communication between European and Indian Companies, focusing in particular on small and medium sized enterprises. 

The first day event deliberated on topics varying from food, farming policy, trade, food safety regimes, consumer protection, geographical indications and other key issues. Mr Patrick Deboyser, Professor, European College of Parma deliberated on the topic on “Food traceability and how the EU ensures that the products are safe and can be traced back”.