December 19, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 8, 1428

KARACHI, Dec 18: Caretaker federal Minister for food, agriculture and livestock Prince Mohammad Isa Jan Baloch on Tuesday urged all stakeholder in fisheries sector to give up differences and gear up efforts for removal of EU ban on Pakistani seafood.

“The requirements of boat modification and sanitation during handling of catch and packaging recommended by the EU inspection mission during January 2007 are not something which cannot be done,” he told stakeholders, including Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA), Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS), Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), processors and boat-owners during his visit to the fish harbour here.

The minister who inspected the ongoing boat modification and attended the briefings of KFHA, MFD and FCS, asked the stakeholders to gear up their efforts.

He was accompanies by Agriculture Development Commissioner Dr. Qadir Baksh Baloch and Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Mohammad Hayat. He also inspected two auction halls K-I and K-II, chill room and flake ice plant.

The minister was told that Sindh Government was providing Rs119 million to share 50 per cent cost of boat modification while the rest is to be shared by boat owners.—APP