United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has moved to deepen cooperation with Canada in livestock development, safe animal-based food production, food security and trade capacity building. A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, led by Secretary Delwar Hossain, held a bilateral meeting with Prarthi Muthukumarasamy, Director General of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and other senior officials at the agency's headquarters in Ottawa on Tuesday afternoon (local time), said a PID handout on Wednesday. The two sides held detailed discussions on livestock development, food security, animal health, veterinary services, animal feed quality control, disease surveillance, research, institutional capacity building, and implementation of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures. They also expressed mutual interest in expanding trade in animal products, enhancing technical cooperation, exchanging information and expertise, developing skilled human resources, and upgrading modern laboratory and food inspection systems. Speaking at the meeting, Livestock Secretary said the government is attaching the highest priority to producing international-standard safe animal-based foods and boosting export capabilities, adding that technical assistance from the CFIA would play a vital role in strengthening Bangladesh's capacity in the sector. Welcoming the Bangladeshi delegation, CFIA Director General expressed interest in bolstering mutual cooperation to improve food safety, animal health, and regulatory frameworks, and hoped the exchange of knowledge, technology, and experience between institutions of the two countries would increase in the future. Both sides expressed optimism that the meeting would open new horizons for long-term cooperation in livestock development, safe food production, and international trade between Bangladesh and Canada.