Food safety, Halal standards: PBC proposes developing coherent institutional framework

Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has proposed the development of a coherent institutional framework to streamline the formulation of standards, develop conformity assessments, and define the enforcement responsibilities and registration processes nationwide.
PBC put its proposal during a roundtable meeting on the harmonization of Food and Halal standards organized by the council. To achieve this, PBC proposed establishing a National Food Safety Board (NFSB) that would be headed by a chairman appointed by the Prime Minister along with Members from the federating units. The National Food Safety Board (NFSB) will provide policy guidelines and formulate a single code of food safety and Halal standards.
Following the devolution process of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the private sector has been overstretched by varying regulatory regimes for the food industry developed by the provinces.
The food industry is facing difficulties due to differing standards, policies and processes across the country. The dialogue initiated in the roundtable meeting highlighted issues and challenges being faced by the industry.
Irrespective of whether formulating quality standards is a federal or provincial subject, PBC pointed out that having harmonized food standards for the country was desirable. It also stated that "establishment of standards of weights and measures" is included in the Federal Legislative List enshrined in the constitution.
PBC also highlighted the constitutional provisions under Articles 143 and 151 which grant the Federal Government the authority to remove inconsistency between federal and provincial laws, and make the federation responsible for creating a common market in the country. Enforcement of the harmonized food standards would remain the responsibility of the federating units.
The participants of the meeting unanimously concurred in the opinion that food standards should be harmonized across the country and agreed to work toward establishing a unified system of standards. The members at the roundtable also concurred that improving harmonization will help reduce regulatory bottlenecks faced by the industry and will help develop scale and competitiveness.
A national framework on harmonizing food safety and Halal standards in line with international standards is need of the hour.