KARACHI, Dec 24: Export of fish products to European countries may continue to face ban as the Food and Veterinary Program of Audits and Inspection Plan for 2008 issued by the Directorate General of Consumer Protection, European Commission does not contain Pakistan’s name.

However, the program includes visits to 25 countries including Indian, Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Myanmar where inspections will be carried out of fish and its products, live bivalve mollusks (including aquaculture). Pakistan is facing ban on seafood exports to the EU countries since April 12, after the meeting of Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health of European Commission (EC) on February 21 2007, in Brussels. Around 11 establishments have been de-listed from the approved list of establishments as all fish processing units depicted deficiencies with regard to conditions at the premises, observance of HACCP at these establishments and non-existence of any record on product trace-ability.

The EC team during inspection of various sites at harbour and processing units this January had noted grave systematic failures, particularly good governance in the Karachi Fish Harbor Authority (KFHA) and Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS), precipitating port congestions, unhygienic conditions and compliance failures across the supply chain from fish harvesting to handling onboard at harbor landings, in auction halls and during transportation from boats to auction sites and fish processing establishment.

Since, the EC did not include an inspection visit to Pakistan suggesting zero likelihood of opening of exports even in the first six months of next calendar. However, the EC may revise annual plan of its visits in June.

The impact of ban on seafood exports to the EU has already been felt as exports fell by 19 per cent in the first four months of this fiscal, say official statistics. A total of 35,660 tons of seafood valued at $52.0 million was exported in July-October, 2007 as compared to 36,232 tons ($65 million) during the same period in 2006. Pakistan may lose $50 million a year on account of ban on seafood exports to the EU countries.

Former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, in a bid to get the ban removed, held a meeting with all stakeholders and government officials on March 3, 2007 where four decisions including appointment of a full-time administrator to head the KFHA and the FCS for two years were taken.

However, after seven months Tahir Dada was appointed Administrator of the FCS but not of the KFHA. It was also decided that a committee comprising Secretary Minfal, Chief Secretary Sindh and Chief Executive TDAP would immediately be put into action to take remedial measures. Interestingly, no meeting of this Committee has ever been held.

It was also decided a detailed work plan would be prepared by Minfal and the Sindh government for long-term measures to ensure fish and its products export in accordance to international standards. However, no such plan seems to be implemented.

It was also decided that the federal government would provide funds under the Competitive Support Fund (CSF), however, no CSF funds are available to improve the sector. The land available with the KPT adjacent to Karachi Fish Harbor would be handed over to the KFHA for future extension, however, so far no additional land has been provided.

Member Pakistan Seafood Industries Association and ex-MNA Akhlaq Hussain Abidi also confirmed non-inclusion of Pakistan’s name in the list of countries which would be inspected in 2008.

When the MFD and Minfal gave awkward answers in response to a draft report sent by the EC pointing towards deficiencies at processing units, besides asking their removal then Pakistan’s name was set to be deleted from the EC’s future mission plan in 2008, he added.

He said non-technical peoples are running the affairs of this sector in government departments and no tangible action has so far been taken rather hurdles created in the export of seafood.

He said members of the PSIA have written a letter to Minfal seeking removal of the sitting Director General MFD as they consider him incompetent in handling these issues.

Akhlaq said as an MNA he took up the ban issue and other problems in the National Assembly proceedings but so far no action has been taken.

However, he said the EC has authorized the MFD as a competent authority to ensure the EC about maintaining quality standards. The MFD had to reply to the EC about its action plan pointing that quality standards are being met at all levels now so that the EC, without undertaking any inspection, could restore fish imports from Pakistan.

Another exporter urged the government to make necessary improvement of the fish sector and a practical implementation plan may be submitted to the EC immediately so that the Commission may consider making an inspection mission in the second half of 2008.