National Wine, Meat and Poultry Board to be set up by early 2008

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) The government has said the National Wine and Meat and Poultry Board will be set up in January 2008 and the proposed Food Regulatory Authority (FRA) will be in place by the year-end.

Addressing the Economic Editors Conference- 2007 here, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahai said with FRA in place by the end of next month, the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) will become null and void.

Mr Sahai also said India has a major role in the future of global food business as it has a strong base in agriculture and provides a large and varied raw material base for food processing Industry.

He further said National Wine and Meat Board will be set up in January 2008. Unveiling the future plans of the government in promoting the food processing sector, the Minister explained that the Centre will identify SEZs and AEZs for setting up Mega Food Parks. This will help in sourcing food and vegetables from the farmers with lesser transaction cost. The government will also draw up a 10-year plan to tap solar energy for the food processing industry.

The Minister stressed that like agriculture the food processing sector also needs equal emphasis.

Mr Sahai said Food Processing Ministry has launched a 'food street' mission for 25 heritage lanes. The government will spend Rs five crore on developing each heritage street and make changes to meet a certain standard.

Technology knowledge and management will be the drivers of growth for food industry. The country has seen the era of Information Technology (IT) and Bio Technology (BT) and now the time has come for ushering the era of Food Technology (FT).

Speaking at the Conference Food Processing Industries Secretary P I Suvarathan said keeping in mind the poor hygienic conditions of the abattoirs in the country the government is planning to set up 25 abattoirs shortly.

He said Ministry will spend Rs 48 crore for upgradation of Paddy Processing Research Centre, Thanjavur.

UNI