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Exports

Pakistan Aligns Food Safety Standards with International Regulations to Boost EU Exports

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pakistan has decided to harmonize its food safety standards with international regulations to improve access to European markets. The move aims to expand exports of food products, particularly honey, to the UK and EU, which is a growing market for halal food. To achieve this, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to strengthen cooperation on food safety, certification, and technical regulations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PSQCA has approved the signing of an MoU with DEFRA to enhance cooperation on food safety, certification, and technical regulations.
  • The MoU aims to strengthen testing and compliance for access to European markets, particularly the UK's growing halal food market.
  • The proposed arrangement will allow PSQCA's testing and certification processes to gain mutual recognition under UK and EU standards.
  • The MoU will cover compliance with key European food safety regulations, including EC 852/2004, 853/2004, 178/2002, and Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
  • The adoption of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in Pakistan is also expected to be promoted.
  • Recognition by DEFRA will facilitate exports of honey, processed foods, and other agricultural products, improving their credibility in international markets.

Statistics:

  • The halal food market in Britain is growing.
  • 18% of Pakistan's total exports go to the UK and EU (Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics).
  • The value of Pakistan's food exports to the UK and EU in 2020 was $1.3 billion (Source: Pakistan Bureau of Statistics).
  • The EU and UK are among the top destinations for Pakistan's honey exports (Source: Food and Drug Administration of Pakistan).

Sources:

  • (Source: Pakistan Newspaper, Islamabad, March 10, 2023)
  • Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)
  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
  • Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
  • Food and Drug Administration of Pakistan
  • National Assembly's Standing Committee on Industries and Production

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