The Indo-German Cooperation on Agricultural Market Development (AMD) project conducted a technical dialogue on TRACES with collaboration of the Spices Board of India on 29th May 2024 in an online mode. Mr. Alfons Urlings, the team leader of the AMD project, welcomed the Indian and German sides participants. Mr Alfons provided a concise overview of the technical dialogue agenda. A total 122 participants joined the technical dialogue. The meeting was moderated by Mr.Nithin Joe, Deputy Director, Spices Board of India.
During the technical dialogue following participants made presentations:
Ms Astrid Wachenfeld, Head of division 522 – Organic Production, Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Bonn, Germany delivered a comprehensive presentation on import requirements for organic products TRACES and certificate of inspection, import regime and regulatory requirements TRACES.
Mr. Jens Walter, a German consultant specializing in TRACES at state level (Bavaria), delivered a session on export of organic spices to the EU, documentary check, SPS-products, accompanying document completion, analytical report, phytosanitary certificate, first consignee, importer / first consignee certified, products labelled as organic, lot number / amounts, container, seal, elements of official controls, likelihood of non-compliances, sampling, working documents – EU COM.
Mr. Nithin Joe, Deputy Director, Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India provided an overview of Spices Board. The Spices Board is a the flagship organization for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices. The Board is an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad. The Board has been spearheading activities for excellence of Indian spices, involving every segment of the industry. The Board has made quality and hygiene the corner stones for its development and promotional strategies. Also, he explained regarding the trend in export of Indian spices, Spices Board & European Union, issuances of test report by Spices board and Areas of interest in traces.
Ms Anjali Pankajakshan K, Quality Manager, Lacon Quality Certification Private Ltd., delivered a session on requirement and bottlenecks regarding TRACES application from the organic certification body perspective. She explained TRACES, regulatory compliance, technical integration, importance of traceability on traces, selection of appropriate commodity code (CN code) for the consignment, description of product under COI.
The technical discussion was ended by vote of thanks.
