Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Spice trade warned on standards

Staff Reporter

Setting them too high may be impracticable in terms of costs attached, says official The Consumer Affairs Secretary called on Indian industry to step up production as demand was growing in both the domestic and international markets.

CHENNAI : The spice trade industry must guard itself against the setting of irrational standards that cannot be met, L.Mansingh, Consumer Affairs Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, said here on Friday.

While food safety is a core issue in the spice trade, too high a standard may be impracticable in terms of costs attached, Mr. Mansingh said at the inauguration of the 8th World Spice Congress. International buyers should also bear the cost of ensuring top quality spices as Indian farmers needed good returns to ensure better produce.

Mr. Mansingh recalled how the spice industry was shaken by the Sudan dye controversy in 2003 when export consignments of chilli were returned with importers claiming they were adulterated. However that challenge was converted into an opportunity. Now, the Board could boast of a world-class quality evaluation facility at Kochi, he said.

"This pre-shipment analytical laboratory has instilled confidence in buyers," Mr. Mansingh said.

Exports up

India's spice export had grown by 23 per cent growth in 2004-05 compared to the previous fiscal. The total spice and spice products exports in 2003-04 was 2.54 lakh tonnes valued Rs. 1,911.6 crore. In 2004-05 it rose to 3.35 lakh tonnes at Rs. 2,200 crore.

The Consumer Affairs Secretary called on Indian industry to step up production as demand was growing in both the domestic and international markets. He also stressed on value-addition to basic commodities and product branding. The Spices Board's recently launched `Flavourite' was a good example of brand identity building, he noted.

Mr. Mansingh also stressed development of the vanilla and paprika spice varieties and organically grown spices. Developing spice products for nutraceuticals, perfumery and medicinal uses had immense potential, he added.

Spices Board Chairman C.J.Jose cautioned international buyers against the setting of impossible standards due to pressure from manufacturers of costly, testing equipment.

He said, "It is necessary that all stakeholders in the world spice trade effectively work for rational standards without harming consumer health.

"It is also useful for buyers to encourage their suppliers to establish proper linkages with raw material sources so that spice production, post harvest practices and processing are encouraged at levels which are remunerative to growers."

A Joint Secretary in the Commerce Ministry, Rahul Khullar and members of Parliament Purandareswari and Ananta Kumar Hegde also spoke.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Inculcate interest in Tamil among youth, scholars told
Engineering mock test `challenging, useful'
TNCSC employee's dismissal upheld
Vanniyar groups list demands for support in Assembly polls
Decentralise local governance: Barnala
Spice trade warned on standards
Jayakumar commends Vreach work
Government urged to build checkdams across Palar
Networking of libraries urged
Two-day meet focusses on learning disabilities
Thirumalai Nagar residents demand better amenities
These cars navigated by Braille
Kannan holds talks with Jayalalithaa on alliance for election
Apparel making courses for BC, MBCs
Lawyers seek allotment of house sites
Repertoire Dogs... and more from Saarang
Fatally knocked down
Around the City
In Chennai Today
Reader's Mail

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu