ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural and food exports, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has approved the initiation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The decision was taken during the latest meeting of the PSQCA Board of Directors, held in Islamabad, where officials discussed measures to align Pakistan’s food safety standards with international regulations, a key prerequisite for entering the lucrative UK and EU markets.
According to official minutes, the proposal came in response to the directions of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industries and Production, which had instructed PSQCA to explore avenues to boost the export potential of Pakistani food products, particularly honey, to European destinations.
The Board was informed that DEFRA oversees food hygiene, animal-origin products, and environmental compliance in the UK. The MoU aims to establish cooperation in conformity assessment and technical regulation, helping remove non-tariff trade barriers that currently hinder Pakistani exporters.
Through this collaboration, PSQCA seeks mutual recognition of its testing and certification processes under UK and EU standards. This would allow the Authority to issue export certificates acceptable to British authorities, saving exporters from the costly and time-consuming process of third-party revalidation in Europe.
Officials said the agreement would cover compliance with major European food safety regulations, including EC 852/2004, 853/2004, 178/2002, and Regulation (EU) 2017/625, as well as the adoption of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.
“The recognition of PSQCA by DEFRA would be a breakthrough in facilitating exports, particularly of honey, processed food, and other agri-based products,” one senior official remarked, adding that this would enhance the credibility of Pakistani goods in high-value international markets.
Exporters have long complained that Pakistani food consignments often face delays or rejections in the EU and UK due to certification and standardization issues. Officials hope the new MoU will pave the way for smoother market access, reduced technical barriers, and improved competitiveness.
With the Board’s formal approval, PSQCA will now begin the official process of negotiating the MoU with DEFRA, a step that could mark a new phase in Pakistan’s effort to make its food exports globally compliant and trusted.
