The decision puts an end to a six year long voluntary ban of exports of seafood products to the EU by the Marine Fisheries Department of Pakistan.The voluntary ban imposed by the fisheries department was the result of the EU Food and Veterinary Office identifying serious deficiencies in the official control system for seafood, including the traceability and hygiene at various stages of the industrial process.
Starting from March 12, two major companies which have been approved by the Marine Fisheries Department will begin exporting the products. Other local companies can then seek to be certified to export seafood to the European bloc, which is Pakistan’s largest trading partner.
“This is a real breakthrough that should also inspire other industries in Pakistan to increase their exports to EU markets,” said the EU Ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark.
“It is the result of the EU’s and Pakistan’s joint efforts to facilitate increased trade by meeting EU product standards. Resuming Pakistani seafood exports to the EU will further promote our already strong bilateral trade relations and support job creation in Pakistan,” he added.
Ambassador Wigemark noted that when the ban was introduced in 2007, Pakistani seafood exports to EU markets stood at 50 million euro (Rs6.5 billion) per year.
He stated that there was potential for the figure to rise. Trade in fisheries products will also promote trade diversification – exports to Europe have so far remained focused on textiles.
