August 3, 2005

Pakistan to lift self-imposed seafood export ban
 

Pakistan will be lifting a self-imposed ban on seafood exports to the EU on Aug 8, according to Pakistan's Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) Secretary Mohammad Ismail Qureshi.

Qureshi said Minfal have already implemented the EC's safety requirements, from the catching to processing of seafood.

EU Ambassador to Pakistan IIkka Uusitalo will visit Pakistan's Karachi harbour, where seafood export leaves for the EU, to inspect conditions of boats, processing units and auction halls, which have been improved after the EC's recommendations. After that, an EU envoy will review the measures taken by Minfal before Pakistan's seafood are allowed into the EU.

Exports to EU countries take up 54 percent of Pakistan's total seafood earnings.