ISLAMABAD: The Department of Plant Protection under the leadership of Federal Minister for National Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema and the guidance of the Ministry has succeeded in getting approval of 15 more rice establishments to export rice to Russia.
Russia’s Federal Service Veterinary and Phytosanitary have confirmed to the Ministry of National Food Security that 15 more rice mills, which were recommended after the DPP’s technical audit, can now export rice to Russia.
The guidance of Federal Secretary National Food Security Zafar Hasan is involved in bringing rice exports and quality to par with international standards. Russia had imposed a ban on Pakistani rice exports a few years ago due to pesticides and insects in the rice, but it was lifted in 2021 and only 4 rice mills that met its quality standards were allowed to export to Pakistan.
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It may be recalled that Russia had banned the export of Pakistani rice a few years ago due to pesticides and insects in rice, but it was lifted in 2021 and only 4 rice mills were allowed to export rice from Pakistan to Russia.
The Department of Plant Protection in collaboration with the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) has upgraded 15 more mills as per the guidance document recommended by the Russian Federation to comply with SPS conditions for rice exports. Special measures were taken to do so.
The Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of NFSR, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, was able to increase rice exports to the Russian Federation. This is especially good news for the rice farmers of Punjab and Sindh as they will benefit from it.
