Industry Bodies and Policy Advocacy Take Centre Stage at ISC 2025

Bengaluru: The third day of the International Spice Conference (ISC) 2025, hosted by the All-India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) at Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru, brought policy advocacy into sharp focus through a panel discussion titled “Policy Advocacy: The Critical Role of Industry Bodies.”

Emphasizing the necessity for greater collaboration among spice industry associations, Dr. Geemon Korah pointed out that while each body works closely with its respective government, cross-learning is essential to navigate the complexities of global spice trade regulations.

One of the key challenges highlighted was the lack of harmonized global standards. Mike Liu, President of the China Spice Association and Chairman of BC Foods, shed light on China’s efforts to establish clear regulatory benchmarks, ensuring standardization within its domestic market while aligning with international trade partners.

Peter Sayia, President of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) and Partner at A.A. Sayia & Co., spoke about ASTA’s century-long legacy in influencing U.S. policy on spice imports and quality control. He underlined how ASTA dedicates significant financial resources—over $600,000 annually—towards advocacy efforts aimed at shaping both state and federal regulations.

Benoit Winstel, President of the European Spice Association, explained the regulatory challenges arising from the European Union’s fragmented approach, where 27 member states often interpret policies differently.

Emmanuel Nambusseril, Chairman of AISEF, highlighted the organization’s advocacy efforts with the Spices Board of India, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He pointed out that AISEF represents over 80% of India’s total spice exports, making it a crucial entity in shaping policies that balance trade interests with quality and safety requirements.

AISEF is in the process of getting recognised internationally, five standardized test laboratories across the country to bring uniformity and consistency in quality assessment of spices.

He stressed that farmers, as the backbone of the industry, need better awareness and training to comply with global standards.