KARACHI, March 7: The Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) on Wednesday informed the fish exporters that they could continue shipments to the European countries for next six weeks despite the fact that the European Commission (EC) had delisted the 11 fish processing units on February 21.

An official in the MFD told Dawn on Wednesday that the decision had been taken in view of the fact that the EC had actually communicated Pakistan’s Mission in Brussels for giving six weeks time to the exporters effective from February 21. “On the basis of this, the MFD has issued letters to the exporters giving them six weeks’ time”.

The official said that the EC had already cautioned the Pakistan Mission in Brussels regarding delisting of 11 plants after February 21 meeting of the EC.

When asked that the EC had actually given 21 days in its meeting for clearance of shipments in pipeline, the MFD official said he had no knowledge about it.

“So far there has been no report or any written communication received by the MFD regarding the delisting of the 11 processing units,” he said. However, he said that final report about delisting was expected to be released by the month-end.

In case a ban comes into force after final report of delisting of 11 plants then exporters will definitely face problems in sending the EU destined shipments (shrimp, kiddy shrimp, squid etc.,) to other countries as they will not fetch the same price as they do get in the EU countries, he added.

The EC action came after an EU mission comprising EC’s food and veterinary officials conducted an overall inspection of Pakistan’s fish harbors, processing units, auction halls, etc., from January 22-26, 2007.

On the contrary, the federal secretary Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) Ismail Qureishi told Dawn from Islamabad that the MFD had taken the decision in view of clearance of old shipments to reach in the EU countries.

He confirmed that 11 plants had already been delisted from the approved list of the EC. The decision had been posted on EC official website. “Even our Mission in Brussels has already communicated the ministry about the EC decision”.

Ismail said the detailed inspection report was yet to arrive from the EC. He said that the EC had assured to put the 11 de-listed plants again on the approved list if the deficiencies in the processing plants are removed.