1.   

India Farm Minister Wants to Increase Exports

India's farm minister, Sharad Pawar, said Tuesday that he strongly favors exports of sugar, wheat, rice and cotton as the country has surplus stocks and is likely heading to another year of a bumper output. "I honestly feel, in the larger interest of the country's farming community, there should be an open policy for export and import of agriculture commodities," Mr. Pawar said in an interview.

2.   

India demands better market access from Russia; simpler visa norms on agenda

India will ask Russia for greater access to some sectors, including pharmaceuticals and animal products, simplified work permits and business visas and mutual recognition of standards and institutions to reduce its growing trade imbalance with the country. It will also push for an early start to discussions on the proposed free trade agreement, or FTA, between the two countries at the annual economic summit of Russia and CIS states at St Petersburg later this week.

3.   

Food safety inspectors in UAE use new devices to detect meat adulteration

Food safety inspectors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have started using new devices that can detect meat adulteration. The devices, being used during inspections of butcheries and meat shops, check for impurities and ensure that the meat on sale is free from adulteration, a news report in Gulf News said.

4.   

Assocham for synergies in food, agriculture; better market intelligence

ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) has called for integrating various government schemes for exports of food and agricultural products besides improving market intelligence systems so that collaborative efforts can be synergised to develop greater national and international linkages. There are many overlaps in schemes offered by various ministries and departments, and they lack supply chain approach, said the body.