Iran, Brazil Hold Third Round of Talks to Boost Agricultural Cooperation

TEHRAN (Iran News) The third webinar meeting of the Joint Agricultural Cooperation Committee between Iran and Brazil (specifically Brazil’s Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, MAPA) took place. The discussions, hosted by Iran’s Veterinary Organization, focused on sanitary quarantine measures for raw animal products (both imported and exported), sanitary quarantines for agricultural and horticultural products between the two nations, and bilateral scientific and technological collaboration.

Alireza Rafieipour, head of Iran’s Veterinary Organization, emphasized during the meeting that cooperation between Iran and Brazil in the agricultural sector would undoubtedly facilitate and accelerate commercial ties, adherence to technical and sanitary standards, quarantine protocols, and bilateral scientific endeavors. He expressed hope that these efforts would lead to an improved trade balance and expanded cooperation between the two countries.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad highlighted the exchange of protein-based products facilitated by the veterinary services of both nations. He noted that Iran has historically imported meat and livestock feed from Brazil, as well as white poultry meat in the past. However, he stressed the need for measures to enable the export of Iranian horticultural products—such as apples, kiwis, raisins, and saffron—to Brazil in return.

Expressing optimism about achieving a positive trade balance, Rafieipour outlined key areas for veterinary collaboration, including pharmaceuticals, biological materials, and laboratory work through training programs, leveraging Iran’s advanced veterinary expertise. He also called for cooperation in vaccine research and development, testing and evaluation, standardization, biotechnology, and the joint production of high-tech medicines under licensing agreements. Additionally, he emphasized the need to align raw animal product standards with national, regional, and World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines, suggesting that deploying veterinary experts from both countries could play a pivotal role.

Rafieipour also addressed global challenges, noting that antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to combating infectious diseases. He underscored the importance of joint efforts in producing herbal medicines to mitigate this issue.

The webinar was attended by Rafieipour, representing Iran’s Minister of Agriculture Jihad, alongside Brazil’s agricultural attaché in Iran, Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Iranian representatives from the embassy in Brazil, and delegates from Iran’s TAT Organization, Plant Protection Organization, horticulture and agriculture sectors, the Jihad Independence Institute, and various deputy offices of the Veterinary Organization.

This third round of negotiations reflects a continued commitment to deepening agricultural ties between Iran and Brazil, with both nations seeking to strengthen their economic and scientific partnership.