PREPARATION, FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR EXPORT OF ANIMALS AND PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN
Animal Foods is traded all around the world. The data provided on the export analysis shows that there are almost 88 countries and territories, which actively import Animal Foods from India. The combined value of total export is 32.58 USD million.Animal husbandry sector has the potential to improve the economic status of rural people. Its contribution in agriculture GDP is around 40%, but in case of export this sector contributes Lac Rs. only 6% of agri-export. Indian export of buffalo meat was of Rs 25,16,830 Lac in 2018-19 and in. Rs. value of sheep meat export was Rs 79064 Lac. In 2018-19and other meat export was to the value of Rs. 79064 Lac. India has exported poultry products of Rs. 68731 Lac Last year. Export of albumin was to the tune of Rs. 10306 Lacs in 2018-19. As far as export of live animal is concerned, it is negligible. Export of any animal is facilitated through quarantine stations and after the inspection certificate of animal which is called as official health certificate. The animal has to be free from zoonoticdiseases.
Diseases Diagnostic Test
Dourine ————-Mallein/Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
Equine infectious Anaemia (EIA) ——–Coggins (Immunodiffusion Test)
Infectious Equine Abortion (Salmonella abortus equi)————— Serum Agglutination Test (Titre not great than one/three thousand)
Equine Viral Arterities (EVA) ———————Virus Neutralization Test
Vesicular Stomatitis —————–Complement Fixation Test (CFT)/ ErtzumeLinked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) ———–Culture of Micro-organisms
Equine Piroplasmosis (Babesia Equi and Babesi Caballi) ————-Complement Fixation Test (CFT)/ Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT)
Venezuelan Encephalomye litis ——————–Hacmagglutination Inhibition(HI) ,Complement Fixation (CFT), Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT)
These tests for various disease are to be performed before 15 days to shipment any countries. These are conducted quarantine. The average value of livestock products constitutes 6 % of Indian agricultural export earnings and 1% of total export earnings. Influx of foreign goods to the Indian market has raised some concern about the country‘s livestock sector and dairy industry in the regime of WTO. Further,nutrient rich and high moisture fresh and frozen foods like livestock products pose food safety risks and affect the safety, health and regulatory measures. The safety of the food is of utmost significance and has gained worldwide attention. Various issues associated with the product rejection on the basis of food safety and health standards are a matter of more concern today rather than earlier. The reason behind is developing countries are implementing risk analysis methodology, rigorous MRLs for chemicals, restrictions on the use of harmful chemicals and giving due attention to consumer health and food safety regulations. Constrains faced by Industry: In western industrialized countries the concerns about safe food have been replaced with those of adequate food. International trade in food sector is governed by the agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures (SPS agreement) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The agreements allow member nations to impose all measures or standards to protect human, animal, plant life and health, harmonize with the international standards, environmental protection, protection of consumers against deceptive practices and prevention of unjustifiable barriers to international trade. The continuous increase in international trade in food sector has been achievable partly through advances in food manufacturing and processing technology along with improvement in handling and transport facilities. The food safety issues are of major concern while exporting food commodities from India, particularly to the developed countries. Major markets such as the US, EU and Japan have progressively stringent food safety requirements thereby emerging as a key challenges in the export of food commodities from the developing countries. Food safety measures proliferated and strengthened both in public and private sector during the last decade mainly in the industrialized countries. These are also becoming more stringent, especially SPS requirements such as maximum residue limit and levels of contamination. The number of SPS measures notified to the WTO has increased exponentially. These standards progressively evolve in the national, international and individual supply chains. Regional trade agreement and overall impact of Uruguay round agreements have reduced many tariffs and subsidy related constraints to free trade, encouraging increased production and export from the countries with the most cost effective production means. However, many exporting countries do not have the infrastructure to ensure high levels of hygienic food manufacture.
Facilities for Meat-Processing:
The APEDA registered integrated meat processing plants receive the animals for slaughter in specially designed transport vehicles, where animals are transported in a comfortable posture without any stress. Thereafter the animals are handled carefully keeping in view their welfare, slaughtered humanely after ascertaining their fitness for human consumption both in ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections by a competent veterinarian. The meat is then processed (chilled & frozen), stored and exported in refrigerated containers to the importing countries.
The meat plants are required to have APEDA registration and should conform to the sanitary regulations in the process of meat. The person handling the meat should conform to the sanitary and hygiene requirements for food safety as laid down in the Export of Raw Meat (Chilled / Frozen) (Quality Control and Inspection) Rules, 1992, and other standards as specified in this manual like GMP, GHP, HACCP, ISO 9001:2008 and others.
Location of Abattoir: The location of the abattoir where animals are slaughtered and meat is produced should conform to BIS. The premises should be away from environmentally polluted areas and industrial activities.
Layout and Design of Abattoir /Meat Processing Plant
The layout of the abattoir and processing unit should permit Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) including protection against cross contamination between and during the operations. The layout should have a bio-security built-in in the Plant where two zones should be clearly demarcated namely, black zone and white zone. There should not be any cross movement of trucks/animals.
Identification and Traceability
Identification of animals has to be carried out as soon as the animals arrive at the slaughter house at unloading area for slaughter. This will create a preliminary traceability system that will commence as soon as the animal arrives and is a first step. Thereafter the traceability should be enforced at various stages, namely, ante- mortem, abattoir, post-mortem, chilling and processing hall with assigning the batch number.
HUMANE SLAUGHTER
Animals are slaughtered by being stunned and slaughtered mostly by Halal method in all the export oriented units. For some countries stunning is mandatory where as for other countries stunning is not allowed.
Mechanical Stunning of large animals: There are 3 methods namely; captive bolt stunning, mushroom head percussive stunning and pneumatic stunning. For cattle and buffaloes, pneumatic stunning has been recommended.
Electrical Stunning: It is allowed in few countries where Halal slaughter is mandatory. The electrodes are placed on the head region in cattle, sheep and goats. The minimum current levels for head stunning in cattle is 1.5 Amps, calves, sheep and goats 1.0 Amps.
Ante-Mortem Inspection-
Animals after resting be subjected to ante-mortem examination by the qualified veterinarian. Only animals fit for human consumption be sent for slaughter. Animals showing signs of any disease be marked as „suspect‖ and kept in isolation pen.
Post-Mortem Inspection
1.After slaughter a detailed post-mortem inspection of carcasses and parts be done soon after in the abattoir. All organs and parts of the carcasses are held in a manner so as to keep their identity till the completion of post-mortem inspection.
2. Every carcass which is found to be wholesome and fit for human consumption shall be marked as „Inspected and passed‖.
3. Animals found affected with anthrax firstly should not be allowed to go for slaughter since the disease can be detected in ante-mortem inspection.
Disposal of Condemned Carcasses
The condemned carcasses /non-Halal carcasses are shifted to rendering plant by a separate line where the whole carcass are rendered.
Chilling, Freezing and Storage
After the carcasses have been inspected and passed, they are washed with hot water and sanitized with 20 PPM of Chlorine.
GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES (GHP)
SANITARY AND HYGIENIC REQUIREMENT OF PROCESSING UNIT
Water Supply: It is important to have an adequate supply of potable water available with proper safe storage and distribution. Similarly, adequate supply of hot potable water should be available during the working hours. For cleaning purpose, the temperature of water is kept at 65°C. For disinfection of knives hot water at 82°C be used. The blade of the knives needs to be submerged in the sterilizer for at least 2 minutes. This water supply is separate from the hot water supply used for cleaning and hand washing.
Safety of Water: Water is potential source of contamination of the raw food. A regulated supply of hot water (at 82°C) is also assured regularly so as to clean the working area as well as the instruments. The quality of the water is monitored by examining the harmful metals and microbiological content through some recognized external agency.
Cleanliness of Food Contact Surfaces:
Adequate facilities are provided for cleanliness of food contact surfaces namely floor, wall, knives, hooks, plastic crates, equipment and table tops. The abattoir and deboning area are cleansed and washed with detergents and hot potable water (65°C). Table tops are sanitized with chlorine. Floor and walls are scrubbed and washed with soap and hot water (at 65°C) dried by wipers and sanitized with chlorine thereafter. Tables are cleaned, washed with hot water (65°C) and mopped with chlorine (100-150 ppm). Knives and splitters are washed with hot water and mopped with chlorine while hooks are dipped in caustic soda water then washed with hot water (65°C) and detergents.
Prevention of Cross Contamination:
Pathogens can be transferred from one food to another either by direct contact or by food handlers contacts of visitors. Raw unprocessed meat is effectively separated either physically with effective intermediate cleaning facility. The factory premises have adequate separation between clean (white zone) and semi clean (black zone) to prevent cross-contamination.
Hand Washing, Sanitizing Facilities :
Any person who directly handles packaged or unpackaged meat, equipment or food contact surface must comply with the hygienic food requirement. Facilities should be available to ensure personal hygiene to avoid any food contamination. All the butchers working in the deboning hall must wash their hands with soap and sanitize their hands and knives with chlorinated water at 20 ppm before entering the area.
Proper Labelling and Storage:
Food grade polythene film should be used in all the different procedures of packing. Proper labels should be placed in between the layers of polythene sheet. The products are packaged in appropriate cartons. The cartons are properly strapped and shrink wrapping is done on each package so as to avoid any damage to cartons. The cartons are passed through heating tunnel (temperature at the heating tunnel is maintained from 150°C to 180°C) for 10 seconds to effect proper shrink wrapping of the film. These shrink wrapped cartons are stocked in the blast freezers.
PROCESSING OF MEAT
After proper post-mortem inspection of carcasses and found fit for human consumption, the carcasses are washed and sanitized with chlorine labelled ―inspected and passed‖. They are then kept in the chillers at 0-4°C for 24 hours. In chilling, the pH of the meat becomes acidic and comes below 6 where FMD virus is killed. After chilling, the meat is deboned in the deboning hall where all the lymph glands and connective tissues are removed. The temperature of deboning hall is maintained at 12°C – 15°C. After deboning the meat is packed in the cartons as per the requirement of the consumers.
Packaging and labelling
Proper cuts are packaged in cartons which has labels indicating the product, date of manufacturing, shelf life, brand name, etc. to provide the consumer the information about the contents. Thereafter, the packed cartons are passed through the metal detector before freezing the meat either in plate freezer/blast freezer.
Freezing of the Meat
The meat is frozen in the plate freezer / blast freezer at -40°C for 10 hours where deep bone temperature is brought down to -18°C. Thereafter, the meat is kept in the cold storage.
Cold Storage
The frozen meat is kept in cold storage maintained at -18°C to -20°C till it is cleared for loading from the in-house laboratory.
HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINTS (HACCP)
HACCP is a food safety measure which has to be followed by each export oriented abattoir cum meat processing plant. It is mandatory to get registration from APEDA. HACCP should be process specific .
Seven principles of HACCP:
1. Conduct a hazard analysis. Using the flow diagram, which is a list of steps describing how a product is produced, identify where actual and potential hazards could occur.
2. Identify critical control points (CCPs). CCPs are points at which controls can be put in place to prevent, eliminate or reduce a food safety hazard.
3. Establish critical limits for preventative measures associated with each identified CCP.
4. Establish CCP monitoring requirements. Procedures should be established that use the results of monitoring to adjust the process and maintain control.
5. Establish corrective actions. Corrective actions are implemented when monitoring indicates that deviations have occurred.
6. Establish recordkeeping procedures for each CCP.
7. Establish procedures to verify that the HACCP system is working correctly.
To fill the gaps in implementing SPS measures the Indian government has made some submissions in the SPS Committee.
These are:
· Unproductive Transparency provision of the SPS Agreement.
· Not enough time is given for raising objections to certain member countries.
· Inadequate information is given through notification procedure.
· A standard under what situation should be considered as an international standard is not correctly disclosed in the SPS Agreement.
· Standard setting procedures at CODEX, OIE and IPPC should be identical.
· Developing countries do not get adequate opportunity to respond to the proposed SPS measures and has advocated for reasonable interval between publication and coming into force of the SPS measure.
· Due to technical and financial constraints developing countries are unable to contribute effectively in standard setting process.
· SPS measures should be similar in countries where like situation exists and where immunity level of population is somewhat similar.
· Notification should contain information of risk estimation tactics and factors in determining appropriate level of SPS protection. · Producers / exporters should be given adequate time to familiarize themselves to new SPS requirements of importing country.
· Stringent food safety standards are implemented in certain countries . US government further stated that several sanitary regulations implemented by India are not based on CODEX and OIE regulations. Implementing SPS measures in India are governed by various agencies. Central government (Government of India) plays a massive role in cases where exported products are banned on the basis of SPS requirements in other countries. In such circumstances the government can look up Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of WTO. India is one of the active users (intense dispute activity shown in US) in most cases as defendant in WTO dispute settlement system. Processing of meatthrough Good Hygienic Practices and by maintain a regular check through HACCP and providing laboratory facilities for checking the end product are mandatory for increasing the export of animal products in India. This issue of traceability of end Product will also be addressed for facilitating Export.
AQCS
IMPORT PROCEDURES
Livestock and Livestock Products are imported as a baggage and cargo through Airport, Seaport, Rail route, Land route and ICDs. The said consignments are referred by the customs for Animal Quarantine Clearance in compliance to import Quarantine health rules of the Government of India. The consignments are examined along with the accompanied health certificates and other relevant papers and Risk analysis is conducted before allowing the entry into India.
In case the consignment is not fulfilling the health protocol laid down by Government of India then appropriate action is taken as per the rules in National Interest. The imported livestock are kept under quarantine for observation and testing as per the prescribed health protocol. The products are also checked and tested accordingly in compliance to the health protocol prescribed by Government of India.
IMPORT
- Prevent ingress of diseases including the exotics through imported livestock and livestock products.
- Only the health certificate issued by Central Ministry of Agriculture/Livestock/Quarantine is accepted (responsible for animal health in the country as per OIE Code (chapter 5.2, article 5.2.1 to 5.2.4).
Prevent ingress of diseases including the exotics through imported livestock and livestock products:
Documents Required cum check list with Application Form for IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK (pet under baggage rule for owners -Dog/Cat upto 2 number) DOG and CAT (As per Custom Circular no.15/2013 dated 8.4.13)
Accompanied Baggage:Ticket of the owner. Unaccompanied Baggage: Within1 month after arrival of owner- copy of Pass Port along with immigration stamp.
Requirement of advance Custom permission: For owners sending the pet more than 1 month after their arrival or before arrival.
For all above: Required- Visa copy/other document to establish continuous stay abroad for at least two years with proof of transferring the residence to India. In case of doubt/procedural requirement advance Custom Permission may be asked to consider the pet under Baggage rule.
Dog:The official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the dog is free from clinical sign and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Canine Distemper, Parvo virus =infection, Leptospirosis etc.
Cat: The official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the cat is free from clinical sign and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Feline enteritis, Feline panleukopenia, leptospirosis etc.
The dog (three months of age and older) and Cat must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.
The name of owner in the official health certificate must match with the name as mentioned in the ticket of owner to establish ownership.
The name and address of the owner in the country of origin and in the country of arrival (import) must be mentioned on the health certificate.
The declaration from the owner that the dog/cat is bonafide pet with no commercial interest, gift and breeding purpose.
No additional feed, bedding etc. be allowed during the journey.
Copy of airway bill/journey details of pet/Bill of entry with custom (If coming under cargo).
Any other document if required during examination of application.
Authorization letter if owner is not approaching directly.
The dog (three months of age and older) and Cat must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.
Documents Required cum check list with Application Form for IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK (under DGFT Licence/ Sanitary Import Permit)- ALL LIVESTOCK EXCEPT PET (Dog/Cat upto two number with owner under baggage rule)
- Copy of valid DGFT Licence/Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)
- Bill of entry with Custom reference.
- Official health certificate from the country of origin fulfilling all import health guidelines of India as per the Notification/supplied protocol with license or SIP/AQCS requirement as the case may be. The description of Livestock product shall be mentioned in health certificate/certified officially.
- Laboratory Reports (not mandatory in each case).
- The name and address of owner in the official health certificate must match with the Licence/SIP to establish ownership.
- No additional feed, bedding etc. be allowed during the journey without permission.
- Undertaking and declarations as per requirement.
- Copy of airway bill/journey details of animal.
- Any other document if required during examination of application.
- Original Health documents are mandatory on arrival for Provisional clearance.
- Authorization letter if owner is not approaching directly.
Advance NOC will be issued within 7 days of arrival based on the self certified advance copies of all above documents. Original Health certificate will be retained by AQCS at the time of Provisional Clearance on arrival. Final Clearance will be issued as per the applicable post import Quarantine rule/regulation.
Documents Required cum check list with Application Form for IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
- Copy of valid DGFT Licence/Sanitary Import Permit (SIP)
- Bill of entry with Custom reference.
- Official health certificate from the country of origin fulfilling all import health guidelines of India as per the Notification/supplied protocol with license or SIP/AQCS requirement as the case may be. The description of Livestock product shall be mentioned in health certificate/certified officially.
- Country of origin certificate.
- Laboratory Reports (if applicable).
- The name and address of consignor and consignee along with other details in the official health certificate must match with the Licence/SIP.
- Custom sealed samples/examination/sampling as the case may be.
- Undertaking and declarations as per requirement.
- Copy of airway bill/cargo details/invoice/packing list of consignment.
- Any other document if required during examination of application.
- Original Health documents are mandatory on arrival for Provisional Clearance/Final clearance/Testing/Examination as the case may be.
- Authorization letter if owner is not approaching directly.
All attached documents with the application must be self attested.
- Sanitary Import Permit (SIP – issued for high risk products –list in notification no. SO 2666(E) dated 16.10.14)
- Issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying Fisheries for Livestock Products like:
– Meat & Meat products of all types
– Aquatic Products and Meat
– Egg products
– Milk products
– Embryos, Ova, Semen
– Pet foods.
– Feathers, Pig Bristles
– Serum
– Bones & Horns Products
- Issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying Fisheries for Livestock Products like:
- DGFT License
Issued mainly for import of Livestock by Director General of Foreign Trade in consultation with Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries.
All Livestock except pet under baggage (Dog & Cat) up to two numbers and livestock products (semen, embryos) are covered under DGFT License. Contains pre import and post import guidelines (checked by AQCS on arrival).
ENTRY POINTS
- Designated port: 6 (AIRPORT & SEA PORT) & their connected ICDs.
- Vishakhapatnam and Cochin- Fish products only.
- Patrapole land route (WB) – Fish only.
IMPORT PROCEDURE
- BEFORE ARRIVAL:
Intimation (application) by the importer-DGFT/SIP
Fulfillment of pre-import quarantine/sanitary requirements (As per the Official health protocol)-ISSUE OF ADVANCE NOC (FOR LIVESTOCK) - ARRIVAL:
Examination of OFFICIAL health documents, Inspection and sampling.
Fulfillment of Post import protocol. - CLEARANCES:
Immediate, Provisional and on hold at port (as per risk analysis CONSIGNMENT WISE)Non fulfillment of the Import health guidelines
Deportation/destruction as the case may be.
EXPORT PROCEDURES
This programme envisages provision of an internationally acceptable certification service for the export of livestock & livestock product to other countries from India confirming to the health requirements of the importing country and the health regulations prescribed in the International Zoo Sanitary code of OIE.
EXPORT PROCEDURES
- International Animal Health Certification: All over the world including EU.
- Prevent ingress of exotic diseases from one territory to another.
- Ensures quality & satisfaction of importing country as per their requirement.
- Export Health Certificates: As per International Certification Procedure of OIE, Terrestrial Animal Health Code (chapter 5.2, article 5.2.1 to 5.2.4).
AQCS Veterinarians: OFFICIAL VETERINARIANS as per OIE code.
- Documents Required cum check list with Application Form for EXPORT OF LIVESTOCK
- Copy of valid Import/Export Licence or Permit as the case may be. If no permit/licence is required than undertaking from the exporter/owner in this regard.
- Official health requirement/format of the importing country. If no prescribed health requirement/format than undertaking from the exporter/owner in this regard.
- Fulfilled health requirement of importing country including testing, treatment, vaccination etc. (if applicable).
- Self certified copies of present health documents including vaccination record of the animal.
- Undertaking and declarations as per requirement.
- Documents of origin, if applicable/asked.
- Copy of airway bill/journey details of animal.
- Any other document if required during examination of application.
- Authorization letter if owner is not approaching directly.
All attached documents with the application must be self attested.
Export Quarantine Certificate will be issued after physical examination/Quarantine observation of the animal as the case may be within 2-3 days before departure. If required the animal may be referred for detailed clinical examination including testing. If the animal is not healthy/fit Certificate will not be issued.
NOTE: All livestock meant for export must be microchipped for better identification.
Documents Required cum check list with Application Form for EXPORT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS
- Copy of valid Import/Export Licence or Permit as the case may be. If no permit/licence is required than undertaking from the exporter/owner in this regard.
- Official health requirement/format of the importing country. If no prescribed health requirement/format than undertaking from the exporter/owner in this regard.
- Fulfilled health requirement of importing country including testing, treatment, fumigation etc. (if applicable/asked).
- Registration certificate/Approvals of the exporting units.
- Undertaking and declarations as per requirement.
- Documents of origin of product, if applicable/asked.
- Copy of airway bill/Bill of lading/packing list/Invoice of the consignment.
- Certificate/information from the local Government authorities and others wherever applicable.
- Any other document if required during examination of application.
- Authorization letter if owner is not approaching directly.
All attached documents with the application must be self attested. All application must be registered on/before the Bill of lading date.
Certificate will be issued on or before the lading date.
EXIT POINTS
ANY PORT IN INDIA
EXPORT (LS/LSP)
Export certification is very important and must be as per International Certification Procedure of OIE, Terrestrial Animal Health Code (chapter 5.2, article 5.2.1 to 5.2.4). As per the procedure the Official Veterinarian (AQCS) of the Veterinary Authority (DAHDF, MOA&FW) of the Exporting Country sign the export Health certificate.
Points considered:
- HEALTH REQUIREMENTS/GUIDELINES OF IMPORTING COUNTRY
- REQUEST OF THE IMORTER.
- EXPORT RULES OF GOI.
- PRE EXPORT QUARANTINE AND TESTING (as applicable)
- INSPECTION & CERTIFICATION
OBJECTIVE: To prevent the spread and introduction of diseases in new territories. To prevent the complaints from importing countries ensures quality certification and pre shipment inspection as per the requirement of importing country.
AUCTION
NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS (AQCS clearance is mandatory) REASONS:
- Consignment may act as carrier/vehicle for dangerous exotic diseases.
- May harbour dangerous micro-organisms due to delay in reference by the Customs, clearance/deportation.
- Not fit to use (adverse effect on animal/human health).
RE-IMPORT
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
- Reason of re-import.
- Other products in the carrier.
- Loading/unloading en route.
- Shelf life of the product.
- Duration of stay in importing country.
- Place of holding in importing country.
- Health condition of the consignment.
- Fulfillment of pr-export requirements.
- Disease freedom status of importing country.
NOTE! All Notifications, Rules, Orders and Procedures are subject to change any time. All decisions will be taken as per the applicable Notifications, Rules, Orders and Procedures at the time of actual filling of application.
Source- https://aqcsindia.gov.in/import-export-of-livestock-and-livestock-products.html
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.