ISLAMABAD
\nThe Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research, under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, visited the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Head Office in Karachi to review key interventions taken for improving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance and reducing Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) violations in agricultural exports, particularly rice.
\nThe visit comes as recent reforms, spurred by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, have already led to a marked decline in export interceptions and noticeable improvements in compliance standards.
\nThe committee was briefed in detail by senior DPP officials, including Mr. Tahir Abbas (Director General DPP), Dr. Muhammad Ishfaque (Deputy Director Quarantine), and Mr. Muhammad Basit (Director Quarantine), on the measures taken to align Pakistan\u2019s export framework with international food safety and plant protection standards.
\nThe committee noted the significant strides made in improving compliance, especially in light of the Prime Minister\u2019s decisive directives issued in December 2024, which called for legal action against negligent officers and the immediate establishment of pesticide residue testing laboratories.
\nThese directives have shown concrete results. In 2023, Pakistan faced 61 interceptions of rice consignments by the European Union due to MRL exceedances and aflatoxins. The number rose to 106 in 2024, with 73 linked directly to pesticide residues.
\nHowever, following the reforms triggered by the Prime Minister\u2019s orders, 2025 has seen a notable decline, with only 30 interceptions recorded so far \u2014 just 13 related to MRLs and 15 to aflatoxins.
\nThis decline is attributed to intensified monitoring, awareness campaigns for exporters, and closer coordination between DPP, provincial departments, and industry stakeholders. Notably, pesticides such as Acetamiprid, Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam were identified as primary contributors to MRL breaches.
\nThe committee also discussed progress in the maize sector. Maize is Pakistan\u2019s third major food grain, with 10.634 million tons produced annually across 1.72 million hectares. In 2023\u201324, exports peaked at 1.837 million metric tons but sharply declined in 2024\u201325 to just over 786,000 metric tons.
\nWhile high domestic prices contributed to this drop, phytosanitary interceptions by Vietnam due to infestation by Trogoderma granarium (khapra beetle) also played a role. Following Vietnam\u2019s third warning and 72 reported interceptions, DPP imposed a temporary two-week export ban and suspended responsible fumigators.
\nCorrective actions such as the registration of 63 compliant storage godowns, traceability protocols, and pest-specific fumigation SOPs were implemented. Additional efforts included stakeholder meetings, strict inspection regimes, and strict control over the use of jute bags \u2014 a major source of infestation.
\nThe committee turned its attention to mango exports, with special emphasis on high-end markets such as Japan, Korea, and the U.S., which have strict protocols including Hot Water Treatment (HWT) and Vapor heat treatment, among others.
\nWhile the DPP has developed SOPs and installed CCTV surveillance systems for monitoring HWT facilities, the Chairman raised concerns over operational irregularities.
\nHe cited credible complaints from exporters regarding malfunctioning cameras, non-operational HWT equipment, and allegations of corruption \u2014 including unauthorized facilitation of certain plants and officials allegedly accepting payment per kilogram to bypass treatment procedures. One major exporter reportedly experienced a drop in mango exports from 40,000 kilograms to just 7,000 this season, attributing the decline to inconsistent enforcement and preferential treatment by DPP inspectors.
\nThe committee emphasized the importance of appointing a technically qualified and permanent Director General at DPP to build on the momentum of recent improvements. Recognizing that the role requires specialized expertise \u2014 ideally a PhD or postgraduate qualification in entomology or plant protection \u2014 the Chairman noted that filling this position with a dedicated professional would further enhance operational efficiency and strategic oversight.
\nThe committee reiterated support for the early establishment of the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Authority (NAFSA), the release of funds for new laboratories, and amendment of fumigation rules in light of current export requirements. Capacity-building workshops, farmer outreach programs, and enhanced provincial coordination were also reviewed positively.
\nThe Chairman concluded by acknowledging the encouraging results achieved so far under the Prime Minister\u2019s reform roadmap and called for continued political will and institutional commitment. He emphasized that while the number of export rejections has declined, sustained oversight, transparency, and scientific leadership are key to ensuring that Pakistan\u2019s agricultural exports regain trust and competitiveness in global markets.
\nThe meeting was also attended by Senator Rahat Jamali, Mr. Dost Muhammad Khan, and Mr. Abdul Wasay. However, the committee noted with disappointment the absence of officials from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research and instructed that a letter be written to the Chairman Senate, requesting appropriate action against absent ministry officials, reiterating the need for full cooperation from the Ministry in matters of national importance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security & Research, under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, visited the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Head Office in Karachi to review key interventions taken for improving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance and reducing Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) violations in agricultural exports, particularly rice. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":489720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-489703","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n