Bangladesh seeks stronger Canada ties on livestock, food safety

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, led by Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, held a bilateral meeting with Director General of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Dr Prarthi Muthukumarasamy and other senior officials at the agency's headquarters in Ottawa on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues, including livestock development, food security, animal health, veterinary services, animal feed quality control, disease surveillance, research, institutional capacity building and implementation of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures.

They also expressed interest in expanding trade in animal products, enhancing technical cooperation, exchanging information and expertise, developing skilled human resources and upgrading laboratory and food inspection systems.

Speaking on the occasion, Delwar Hossain said the government is attaching the highest priority to producing safe animal-based foods in line with international standards and enhancing the country's export capacity.

He said technical assistance from the CFIA would play an important role in further strengthening Bangladesh's capacity in the sector.

The Bangladesh delegation included Director General of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Md Shahzaman Khan and the department's Deputy Director Md Shariful Haque, said a PID release this afternoon.

Welcoming the delegation, Dr Prarthi Muthukumarasamy expressed interest in strengthening cooperation to improve food safety, animal health and regulatory frameworks.

He said greater exchanges of knowledge, technology and experience between the relevant institutions of the two countries would contribute to achieving common goals in these areas.

Both sides expressed optimism that the meeting would open new avenues for long-term cooperation in livestock development, safe food production and international trade between Bangladesh and Canada, reports BSS.