The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, met with the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle, in New Delhi to discuss expanded cooperation between the two countries in animal farming and related sectors.
The talks covered animal health management, sustainable livestock production methods, scientific research collaboration, and the exchange of technical expertise between Indian and British institutions and experts.
Key facts
- Union Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
- UK counterpart: Dame Angela Eagle, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Location: New Delhi
- Focus areas: animal health, sustainable livestock production, genomics, advanced reproductive technologies, capacity-building
- Trade framework: India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
What cooperation will focus on
The two ministers discussed several technical and commercial areas where India and the UK can work together. These include improvements in animal health standards, methods to make livestock farming more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and research in genomics and advanced reproductive technologies that can improve livestock breeding and productivity.
Capacity-building through exchange of technical expertise and best practices was identified as another pillar of cooperation. This means Indian and UK professionals, researchers and institutions will share knowledge and learn from each other’s experience in animal husbandry, veterinary science and dairy production.
Trade and market access
Both countries explored opportunities to increase bilateral trade in livestock, dairy, and marine and other animal-origin products. The talks specifically addressed market access issues and regulatory barriers that affect the flow of these products between India and the UK.
These discussions are taking place under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a framework designed to remove trade barriers and create easier conditions for businesses and products to move between the two countries. By addressing regulatory issues now, the two nations aim to make it simpler for Indian dairy and livestock producers to access UK markets, and vice versa.
Why this matters
India is a major producer of dairy, meat and seafood products. The UK is a significant market and technology partner. Closer cooperation can help Indian animal husbandry producers adopt better technologies, improve quality standards, and access new export markets. At the same time, UK expertise in sustainable farming practices and animal welfare can benefit Indian farmers.
For Indian dairy and livestock exporters, reduced regulatory barriers mean smoother trade with the UK. For researchers and scientists in both countries, collaboration opportunities can lead to innovations in breeding, disease management and production efficiency.
The emphasis on sustainable livestock production also aligns with global efforts to make farming more environmentally responsible, which is increasingly important for exports to developed markets that have strict sustainability standards.