In a ´National Policy on Food Purity and Quality´ sent for approval to the Ministry of Agriculture, the department has proposed formation of the accreditation board. [break]
In the absence of an accreditation board, various countries, including India, have been refusing to recognize quality certification issued by Nepali labs to various food items. This has been largely serving as a non-tariff barrier, obstructing the exports.
Formation of the accreditation board is expected to attest international recognition to the lab tests conducted in Nepal and, thus, reduce export hurdles. "
The department proposed formation of the board in order to provide international recognition to the tests and to subsequently ease exports," said Pramod Koirala, senior food research officer at the department.
Exporters currently depend on foreign labs for international certification bearing heavy expenses and the inconvenience of untimely delivery of tested products.
The board is also expected to provide international recognition to the private laboratories later on. The policy forwarded by the department also proposes upgradation of labs, regular inspection of local and private laboratories, ensuring food purity and revising the food act, among others.
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