May 6, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 3, 1424

ISLAMABAD, May 5: The government is likely to establish DNA testing facility for Basmati rice in the country in collaboration with the Food Standards Agency of the United Kingdom.

An official source in the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock told Dawn on Monday that the issue would be discussed with the authorities concerned during the forthcoming visit of commerce minister Humayun Akhtar Khan to UK due this week.

The proposal was under consideration following a demand from Rice Exporters Associations of Pakistan (REAP). The Association had suggested to the government that a DNA testing facility be set up in Pakistan patterned after the one in the UK to facilitate the exporters.

According to the officials, DNA tests of rice would be performed by local scientists and a final decision would be taken on how to go about setting up a DNA testing laboratory following consultation with the stake holders.

The FSA in the UK has issued guidelines on Basmati rice testing with an aim to ensuring that Basmati rice is not mixed with non-Basmati varieties.

The guidelines provide definition of Basmati rice, criteria on which this is based, possibility of future addition to the already agreed list and backing it up with the DNA test.

The local companies selling mixed rice or non-basmati rice as Basmati rice would be fined by up to 5,000 pounds for incorrect labelling as determined by the DNA test, added the official.