July 25, 2005

EU to review resumption of Pakistan's seafood exports

Pakistan would be expecting an EU delegation next month, which would assess the sufficiency of the country's measures in ensuring seafood export quality to European countries.

The EU had banned Pakistani seafood in May this year, following quality checks on the country's fisheries facilities that turned up unsatisfactory.

Pakistan's government said it had informed an EU representative about development projects completed to maintain seafood quality, since a self-imposed export ban to European countries in March this year.

The projects included the setting up of a Rs15 million exclusive zone for handling and processing Europe bound seafood.

Pakistani seafood exporters have also managed to raise funds and developed 40 boats with modern refrigeration facilities to maintain catch quality. The boats were designated to haul in their catch only for the EU.