Food safety: Govt to establish regulatory authority

ISLAMABAD: The government has drafted a bill to establish a federal food safety regulatory authority in a bid to increase the country’s access to international markets for the export of quality agriculture products. According to an official, imports of animals, plants, fish and fishery products will be subject to quality checks for eliminating any chances of biological hazards and inferior quality produce entering into the country. The official said a bill has been drafted for the establishment of a food safety and animal and plant health regulatory authority in consultation with concerned federal ministries, divisions and provincial departments and the help of international experts. After fulfilment of formalities, the bill will be tabled before the parliament for enactment. Over Rs300 million have already been utilised in the cost of the project, whereas allocation for the current financial year is Rs70 million. The total cost of the project is Rs415 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2012.