Director General Department of Plant Protection Dr. Falak Naaz said that for the promotion of Agricultural exports of Pakistan, meeting food security standards become a challenge. He was addressing a gathering of Industrialists and business community at Korangi Association of Trade & Industry
(KATI) here on Tuesday.
President KATI Danish Khan, Senior Vice President Faraz-ur-Rehman, Chairman and CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya, Vice President Maheen Salman, Head of KATI’s Standing Committee for industrial pest management Salman Ahmed Sabri and others also expressed their view.
DG DPP Dr. Falak Naaz said that the department ensures agricultural and forest security of the country form diseases and pesticides. He said that DPP issues certification regarding health and safety of agricultural products for import and export. He told that food security standards become strict internationally; there are certain level of quantity of pesticide and heavy metal particle presence on fruits and food products. He urged that Fruit and crop exporters should follow the directions of DPP to align their quality with international standards.
President KATI Danish Khan said that Pakistan is an agricultural country and exports of this sector should be enhanced. He said that there is need to spread awareness regarding international standards regarding food security among common people and especially producers and exporters should be well aware of the standards. Zubair Chhaya urged for a proper liaison between the department and the trading community. Head of KATI’s standing committee on Industrial pest management Salman Ahmed Sabari said that food item importers were facing delay and other problems due to procedural hurdles, those can be set aside with proper coordination.
The DG of DPP said that department is ready to facilitate traders and urged to follow DPP’s directives while importing or exporting agricultural products. He also told that the department is also working to expend it capacity. He further added that DPP outsource laboratories of public sector. Deputy Director of DPP Sohail Shahzad also briefed about the department responsibilities and protocols.
Photo Caption: President KATI presenting shield to Director General Department of Plant Protection Dr. Falak Naaz. At the occasion Zubair Chhaya, Faraz-ur-Rehman, Maheen Salman and Salman Ahmed Sabri are also present.