Things improve after Commerce Ministry made Hot Water Treatment mandatory for all exports being made through ports
ISLAMABAD: Interceptions in export of mango consignments to Europe has come down to two in 2014 than 180 in 2013 due to measures taken by the Commerce Ministry.
Interceptions were made in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
A ministry source told Customs Today that the European Commission through a notification on March 27 banned imports from India and also alerted Pakistan about possible imposition of ban on import of these products if measures were not taken to ensure pest-free exports in the future.
“At least 180 consignments of mangoes being exported to EU were intercepted during 2013,” the official said, adding, “On receiving the alert, on April 18 this year, the ministry convened a meeting of experts of Ministry of National Food Security and Research and Department of Plant Protection and decided to make Hot Water Treatment (HWT) mandatory for all exports being made through all the ports.”
Primarily, the source said that Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified orchards were initially exempted from HWT to facilitate exports, however, decision of deputing Department of Plant Protection own officials and experts at all three levels for mandatory inspections to prevent export of any consignment which did not meet the criterion was strictly implemented.
“The Department of Plant Protection in a meeting held on May 9 this year prepared an action plan which provided for Pre Shipment Inspections (PSIS) of consignments at all three levels including orchard, packing and ports,” the source said. He added that three PSI companies were enlisted by the National Food Security and Research and Department of Plant Protection for this purpose.
As per trade policy regulation, the source observed that exports of mangoes from Pakistan started on May 25 this year and European Commission made two interceptions on account of presence of fruit fly in the consignments of mangoes that had originated from GAP registered orchards on June 17 and 19.
“The European Commission warned that 5th interception would initiate imposition of ban on imports from Pakistan,” the source said. “Consequently, HWT was declared mandatory even for consignments originating from GAP certified orchards.
The source said that as a result of which no consignment of mangoes had been intercepted on the account of carrying harmful organisms until this date.
