India, Brazil for early resolution of Phytosanitary issues

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today met his Brazilian counterpart Blairo Maggi and agreed to work expeditiously for early resolution of phytosanitary issues to boost the bilateral trade.
In the meeting, the ministers discussed various issues related to agriculture, livestock and trade and agreed to further develop friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, an official statement said.
Both the sides acknowledged the need to promote South-South Cooperation to assist developing economies in meeting their basic requirements.
"They also agreed that both countries need to work together to explore ways and means for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries and committed to work expeditiously for early resolution of phytosanitary issues for providing the required boost to bilateral trade," it said.

India's request for market access of seeds of pearl, millet, sorghum, corn seeds, rapeseed and cotton, for which technical information for conducting pest risk analysis was already submitted in July, 2012, and Brazil's request of market access for cotton, maize, soybean, grapes, apples, oats and avocado into Indian market were also discussed.
The proposed agreement between agencies of the two countries on sharing technical information on Indian cattle breeds, which form the mainstay of the Brazilian livestock population, was also discussed and it was agreed that a technical group can sit together to resolve outstanding issues, the statement said.
The two ministers agreed to get pending market access request expeditiously examined and, if necessary, utilize existing Joint Working Group for such technical discussions.

The Brazilian minister is here in India for the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting to be held on September 23.