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LAHORE, Oct 18 (APP): Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) Chairman Malik Faisal Jahangir Saturday demanded representation in the National Agri-Trade Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) Board.
In a media statement here, Jahangir said that the establishment of NAFSA has recently been approved through an Act on the directions of the Prime Minister, which aims to ensure that the import and export of food items are in accordance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
He said that the Act clearly states that one member of the board will be from the plant-based trade association, but this has yet to be implemented. He further said that the total volume of Pakistan’s plant-based exports is about USD 8 billion, out of which the exports of the members of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan alone are USD 5.5 billion, including rice: 3.5 billion, maize: 1.25 billion, and sesame: 0.75 billion.
On this basis, the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan is the most deserving institution to be included in the board to represent the plant-based trade associations. He said that since most of the health and phytosanitary issues in the export sector occur with sensitive countries (EU, USA, Australia, Russia, Mexico) during rice exports, the presence of the Rice Exporters Association in the board will enable long-lasting and fruitful decisions, which will lead to an increase in exports.
Malik Faisal Jahangir said that any policy made without consultation and consent of stakeholders will prove to be detrimental to exports. He demanded that the Rice Exporters Association, which is the most qualified body, be represented on the NEFSA Board.