Rs490m lab project planned to boost food safety monitoring

ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has planned a Rs490 million project to strengthen food safety monitoring and improve Pakistan’s compliance with international trade standards.
The project seeks to enhance the National Veterinary Laboratory’s capacity for antimicrobial residue analysis so it can meet national and international standards and support the export of livestock and livestock-derived products.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project is titled “National Agri Food Laboratory Standards, Accreditation and Reference Network”. Planned for three years, from July 2026 to June 2029, the initiative focuses on improving laboratory standards for livestock and agri-food safety and will be implemented by the National Veterinary Laboratory (NVL), Islamabad.
According to the document, the project targets key areas including antimicrobial residue monitoring, public health protection, regulatory effectiveness, and compliance with international food safety and trade standards. By strengthening laboratory capacity and veterinary diagnostic systems, the initiative aims to support value chain modernization and improve the competitiveness of Pakistan’s livestock products in global markets.
The project also plans to establish a sustainable National Antimicrobial Drug Residue Monitoring Plan covering livestock and livestock-derived products.
The plan includes training and certification of laboratory personnel to enhance their technical and regulatory capabilities, while the laboratory will work toward achieving ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to demonstrate compliance with international quality standards.
The project is strategically aligned with national and international development frameworks, including the 5Es Framework, the 13th Five-Year Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the National Agriculture Innovation Growth Programme (NAIGP).
According to the document, it will also support regulatory digitalisation under the E-Pakistan initiative. In addition, the project aims to strengthen export certification systems by enhancing food safety compliance and improving veterinary diagnostic standards, thereby contributing to value chain modernisation and supporting international competitiveness.
The project is expected to produce reliable, timely, and standardized residue testing reports to support regulatory oversight and facilitate trade in livestock and livestock-derived products.