ISLAMABAD, July 14: The European Commission (EC) has proposed new measures for Pakistani rice regime following the exclusion of super basmati from abatement scheme.

Well-placed sources told Dawn on Wednesday that these measures were discussed at length during a meeting held here on Wednesday. During the meeting, the stakeholders submitted their proposals on the measures, which would be discussed in the next round of meeting, added the source.

According to the proposed measure, the EC's specific bound rate on super basmati, kernal basmati and basmati 370 will be zero subject to a community control system based on DNA analysis and protection of basmati rice as a geographical indication.

Under the transitional arrangement, the source said that from September 1, 2004 till the entry into force of DNA analysis system, the EC's applied rate of duty on these varieties of basmati shall be zero.

According to the measures, however, if market disturbance occurred, the EC would consult with Pakistan in this regard. If no agreement was reached on the issue, the EC reserve the right to revert to the bound rate of duty of 65 euro per ton for husked brown rice.