Kino export to Iran: Pak-Iran quarantine experts to jointly ensure suitability

Plants quarantine experts of Pakistan and Iran will jointly conduct research on treatment process of Iran-specific exportable kino at cold storage houses in Pakistan, sources told Business Recorder on Friday. They said that both sides have agreed on undertaking such exercise, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Iran in February this year for kino and mango exports to Iran.
This exercise, sources said, would be undertaken after considering research carried out at Karachi Plant Quarantine Vapour-Heat Treatment Station some time back. This involves treatment at 5 degrees centigrade for 14 days which kills all life stages of fruit flies reported in Pakistan's citrus fruits. "Upon reaching the results of earlier one, it would be applied as a treatment method for kino export to Iran," sources added.
The MoU, copy of which made available to Business Recorder, envisages that Pakistan side would provide treatment facilities, to be required by Iranian Plant Protection Organisation {under Vapour-Heat Treatment or High Temperature forced air) in Pakistan. Besides, Pakistan side will also provide for cold treatment of kino fruit at 2 degrees Celsius for 22 days by adhering to certain conditions like cold storage houses equipped with temperature recording instrument under the supervision of Iranian Plant Quarantine inspectors. These cold storage houses should be only for storage of exporting kino fruit to the Iran with suitable registering system of entry and exit of the kino fruit consignment.
Upon confirmation of fulfilling of requirements by the Iranian Plant Quarantine inspectors the concerned consignment would be approved for exportation, whereas quality of the fruit after application of treatment would be guaranteed by the Department of Plant Protection of Pakistan.
In case of export of mango fruit to Iran, only hot water dip at 45 degree Celsius for 75 minutes in Pakistan would be accepted as phytosanitary treatment. Wood, straw and any other raw plant material would not be used for packing of kino and mango fruits, to be exported to Iran.
The phytosanitary certificate issued for kino and mango fruit exports to Iran after inspection by Plant Protection Department of Pakistan will contain an additional declaration (AD), verifying that consignment is free from various fruit flies.
The MoU document further elaborates that details of treatment will be indicated in he phytosanitary certificate and a copy of every issued certificate will be sent by fax to the Plant Protection Organisation of Iran in advance of shipment. The Iran will likewise send a copy of the import permit issued for importation of the fruit to the Pakistani Plant Protection Department.
If the Iranian Plant Protection Organisation requires, the inspection, sampling, laboratory examination, treatment and phytosanitary certification for the exported fruit could be carried out in Pakistan jointly by concerned departments of both the countries.
As far as cost of this exercise is concerned, Iranian side will bear all costs of travel and Pakistani side would bear all costs of boarding, lodging and necessary equipment for carrying out its phytosanitary controls.
The MoU envisages suspension of export of kino and mango, if consignment is found infested with any of pests on arrival inspection of concerned Iranian department.