New Trade and SPS Harmonization Efforts Set to Elevate Pakistan’s Agricultural Trade, Chairman PARC.

Islamabad: (PR&P, PARC) Pakistan – CAB International (CABI), in collaboration with Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched an initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s regulatory framework for safer plant protection products, including bio-pesticides. This initiative, titled “Trade and SPS Regulatory Harmonization in Pakistan,” seeks to establish a robust national system for the recognition, registration, and regulation of these products, thereby facilitating the adoption of bio-pesticide registration processes and improving the overall regulatory environment for agricultural trade. The launch event, chaired by Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC, brought together key stakeholders.

In his remarks at the event, Chairman PARC, Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali emphasized the importance of collaboration among various agricultural entities, stating, “PARC, USAID, USDA, CABI, and provincial agriculture departments have good collaboration in the agriculture and livestock sector. While we have numerous policies in place, it is crucial that we implement them in true spirit. In Pakistan’s crop and livestock sectors, Intensive research and continuous funding support is crucial for capacity building among stakeholders. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saqib Ateel Secretary Livestock, Punjab, highlighted the important contribution of the livestock in country’s economy and the special focus that the sector needs to be accorded.

In his welcome note, Dr. Babar E. Bajwa, said that working in Pakistan since 1957, CABI has collaborated on over 150 projects to address agricultural and environmental challenges. He noted that contaminated feed poses risks to animal and human health and CABI, along with its partners is working to strengthen feed safety regulations, promote bio-pesticides, and harmonize standards to support livestock health and productivity. Mr. Christopher Rittgers, Agricultural Counselor, USDA in his remarks, recognized collaboration with CABI and PARC that goes back many years. He hoped that the current initiative, which has a special emphasis on eco-friendly bio-pesticides, would contribute to improve livestock efficacy and enhance profitability for farmers. Mr. Ian Winborne, Deputy Director, climate and Sustainable Growth-USAID, expressed pride within the US government for the work that CABI, PARC and partners are doing in Pakistan. Livestock Feed expert, Dr. Yousaf Zafar, Dr. Tariq Khan, Plant Protection Advisor and Director General of Department of Plant Protection gave brief orientation on bio-pesticides registration in Pakistan.