Govt to ban import of used cooking oil

Traders import oil as raw material for soap manufacturing.

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has decided in principle to impose a ban on the import of used cooking oil and all kinds of used petroleum oil. These items are being imported under the pretext of raw material for soap manufacturing.

According to documents, the government took the decision after noticing that commercial importers were bringing used cooking and edible oil from abroad in the name of raw material for soap manufacturing. This oil is not fit for human consumption as it is harmful for health.

According to the documents, some importers were also importing used lubricant, hydraulic and transformer oil which was repacked after some processing and sold at lower rates in the market. This waste and leftover oil is not fit for use in vehicles as primary product.

Keeping this trend in view, it has been suggested that only industrial manufacturers should be allowed to import and use this oil after getting a no-objection certificate from the Environment Ministry.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2011.