KARACHI: Mexico has agreed to lift ban on import of Irri rice from Pakistan, quarantine officials said on Thursday. The Mexican quarantine department has informed local authorities about their decision to allow Pakistani rice to their country, saying it would convey the formal go-ahead after necessary amendment in rules, which prompted ban on Pakistani rice.

The Plant Protection Department officials told Dawn that the ban was imposed about five years ago after the Mexican authorities detected a virus ‘khapra beetle’ in Pakistani rice.

During the course of negotiations for lifting of the ban Pakistan quarantine provided a lot of information to the Mexicans about the crop, processing, fumigation and packaging of rice and steps to prevent the virus, which satisfied the Mexicans to lift the ban.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan chairman Rahim Janoo said the association had not been officially intimated about the move for lifting of the ban.

Talking to Dawn he said that a Mexican quarantine delegation was scheduled to visit Pakistan last month for inspection of rice processing and packaging facilities. The Reap had made arrangements to receive the delegation and inspection of mills but Rice Commissioner Inayatullah informed them that the visit had been cancelled.

The Rice Commissioner was not available for comments.

He said that although the Mexican rice market was not so big, rice exporters were ready to avail the opportunity.

He said that Pakistan emerged as the third largest rice exporter this year after beating US and India in export tonnage.

The Reap chairman said that Russia had also lifted ban on import of Pakistan rice and many countries prefer Pakistan rice due to its super quality.

Another leading exporter Abdul Wahid has welcomed the removal of the ban.

He said that the Mexican market could absorb 10,000 to 15,000 tons of Pakistani rice which would earn a sizeable foreign exchange.

Pakistan has introduced a modern method to treat fruits fly on fruits and vegetable through ‘Radiation’, which would make Pakistani products acceptable in many countries, including US. The treatment facility is a joint venture of Pakistan Horticulture Export Development Board and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The radiation plant has been set up in Lahore which would also open way for export of Pakistani fruits and vegetable to South Africa and South Korea.