TDAP has already taken several initiatives to educate exporters on the importance of complying with EU's Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS) standard to stop complaints about export of contaminated food items from Pakistan to European Union.
In this connection Minfal has set procedures for the pre-shipment monitoring of citrus and mango export subjected to quarantine products between the national organisations on Federal Services for Veterinary and Phyto-sanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of the Russian Federation and Plant Quarantine Section, Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Karachi, which has been circulated to exporters.
The Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Agreement (SPS Agreement) is a part of the regulations in the accords that established the WTO in 1994. The SPS agreement marked an important development in multilateral trade rules by creating a consensus on agricultural trade issues relating to food-borne diseases and invasive pests.
Compliance with SPS regulations is good for both importing and exporting countries. Contaminated food can maim or kill people, pets or livestock. The introduction of diseased or unwanted plant material can harm the environment. SPS regulations on imported products safeguard consumers in importing countries, while the compulsion on countries to improve the quality of exports improves their own quality standards.
The Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) of Pakistan's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock worked with Unido to overcome the problem. Unido provided expert advice to redesign laboratories, train staff and equip the laboratories with the most modern facilities.
The laboratories and staff participated successfully in the required International Proficiency Testing and international accreditation was gained for 18 laboratories for product testing.
Unido assisted in improving standards in the supply chain based on a detailed study of fish production. Over 1,100 persons were trained: fishermen, boat owners, fish auctioneers and government staff.
Standard Operating Procedures were developed for the different players: upgrading the EU-mandated Competent Authorities, improving landing sites, renovating auction halls and finally, introducing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Practices and IT-based traceability methods in 11 fish processing plants.
Trade Development Authority in order to help overcome these problems has already formed a committee headed by Chairman TDAP Mr Tariq Ikram, other members are Secretary Minfal, Chief Secretary Sindh and Additional Secretary Finance who will look into all aspects relating to SPS standards to work out modalities and help exporters in this connection. They will submit a report in three months in consultation with exporters.-PR