Germany and UK are keen on exporting cattle semen to India and are awaiting confirmation from the Indian government. Delegates attending the CII Agrotech 2010 said talks were going on between the Indian government and their respective governments for starting trading of cattle semen and embryos.
Egbert Feddersen, director of German Holstein Association told FE that his country was looking forward to exporting cattle semen and embryos to India next year. ?We are yet to obtain a health certificate from the Indian agriculture ministry to start selling the semen. An agreement, however, has been signed between the two governments for the same but few modalities are to be worked out before we start the process by spring next year,? he said.
Regardless of whether the animals are sold directly from the breeder or through international breeding stock auctions, they may only be sold if an official health certificate has been issued for their farm of origin, thus guaranteeing maximum safety in animal trade.
Germany is the world’s largest exporter of breeding cattle and a major player in bovine semen export market. Nearly 13 million cattle are kept in Germany on 1,87,000 farms. The most important breeds for milk production are Holstein, Simmental and Brown Swiss.
Feddersen further said that, ?we are already selling the semen to 65 countries across the globe and we are planning to export semen of Holstein and Brown Swiss to India. We can also offer Jersey and Simmental.?
On the other hand the UK wants to export semen of Jersey and Holstein breeds to India and has already appointed an agent in the northern part of the country. ?Negotiations are on and we plan to begin the exports next year,? said a delegate from UK. French companies too are keen on exploring the Indian market with two companies?Axereal and Kuhn already set up shop in India.
