May 20, 2009
EU continues ban on Pakistan seafood
Pakistan failed to persuade the European Union (EU) lift the ban on fish and shrimp despite the lapse of two years.
The EU had banned the import of fish and shrimps from Pakistan since January 2007 on the grounds that the fish processing units operating in Karachi Fish Harbour were not up to mark and that the boats used to catch fish and shrimps from the sea are also not insulated.
However, the EU had assured the Pakistani authorities of lifting the ban if their concerns were removed, but Pakistani authorities failed to make any progress in this connection.
Circles close to the fisheries said millions of rupees were allocated by government as well as foreign donors during the last five years, aimed at improving conditions at the fish harbor.
However, conditions at the site do not reflect utilisation of that fund.
