Piyush Goyal reviews plan to expand global access for Indian farm, fisheries exports – The Times of India

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday chaired a meeting to prepare a roadmap for securing Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) approvals for Indian agricultural and fisheries products in global markets, aimed at boosting exports and improving incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, ANI reported.Sharing details of the meeting on X, Goyal said he “chaired a meeting to prepare a roadmap for obtaining SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) approvals for Indian agricultural and fisheries products across global markets.”The minister said the initiative is aimed at “boosting exports, enhancing the income of farmers and fisherfolk, and strengthening the food processing industry.”Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures refer to international safety and quality standards related to food, plants and animals. These regulations ensure that imported agricultural and fisheries products are free from harmful chemicals, pests, diseases and contamination before entering foreign markets.The discussions focused on improving India’s export competitiveness through stronger certification systems and better alignment with global food safety standards.According to Goyal, deliberations also centred on “strengthening quality infrastructure, sustainability, market access, certification systems, and unlocking higher value realisation through coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.”SPS approvals are considered critical for Indian exporters as many countries mandate stringent testing, certification and quality checks before permitting imports of food and agricultural products.India has been expanding efforts to increase agricultural and marine exports to newer global markets while improving compliance with international quality and food safety norms.