ISLAMABAD: Turkey has requested for phyto-sanitary clearance for export of maize seeds to Pakistan besides seeking market access for an oak specie which is used in medicine.

In a meeting held on Thursday, Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhr Imam and Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul discussed progress on various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

The Department of Plant Protection (DPP) has conducted the pest risk analysis for import of Turkish maize seeds and shared results with the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) of Turkey for further action.

At the same time, NPPO Turkey has also made a request to the DPP for grant of market access for the export of ‘Quercus infectoria’ known as Aleppo oak — an oak specie traditionally used in Asian medicines. The department is currently evaluating the technical information shared by NPPO and based on analysis, a decision for its import will be taken.

The DPP has requested NPPO for market access of Pakistani potato in Turkey. The NPPO has initiated pest risk analysis for its import in Turkey since 2019. It notified Pakistan to importers for import of table potato due to its growing demand in Turkey in the wake of failure of local crop without finalisation of pest risk analysis.

“The signing of Strategic Framework Agreement will further strengthen bilateral relations and the development of agriculture and livestock sector in Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2020