ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Wednesday said France being a “negligible risk country” was free to export live cattle and meat to Pakistan.
He was talking to French Ambassador Martine Dorance, whocalled on him here.
Matters of mutual interest, especially lifting of ban on import of live cattle and bovine meat from France to Pakistan,came under discussion during the meeting, said a press release.
The minister highlighted that import of live animals was
banned from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) infected
countries since June 2001 that included France as well.
The policy, he said, was revised in 2014 and import of live
cattle from countries declared as “Negligible Risk” by International
Animal Health Organization (OIE) was allowed.
However, this was subjected to the condition that animals come
from such herds where no incidence of BSE has been reported for the
last 11 years, he added.
The minister reiterated that import of live cattle was allowed
from 41 BSE Negligible Risk countries, including France, but the
exporting country would have to certify above mentioned condition.
The meat, he said, could be exported to Pakistan only after
fulfilling health/sanitary and Halal certification as per OIE
guidelines and international standards.
Bosan said Pakistan imported over 6,000 dairy cows annually
and offered equal opportunities to all BSE Negligible Risk
countries.
Joint ventures in farm mechanization and vaccine development
were also discussed in the meeting.
The minister expressed deep grief on the Paris tragedy and
extended full support to the French people.
The French Ambassador praised the response from the
Pakistani government and people in wake of Paris bombings.
France can export cattle, meat to Pakistan: Bosan
