ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: Rice exporters have urged the government to ensure early implementation of Geographical Indications Ordinance and Plant Breeders Rights Bill to provide due protection to the ownership of different rice varieties.

A letter sent to the commerce minister by the Consortium of Brown Rice Exporters (CBRE) stated that the originators of Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) ensured in 2001 that the draft of geographical indications act got vetted by all relevant officials.

According to the letter, a copy of which was available to Dawn, the issue was put in the cold storage for over three years due to situation prevailing in Reap. "We are relieved that the secretary commerce has started rapid work on this issue that is so urgent and important for our exports to continue, especially to the EU", the letter added.

The CBRE president, Zahid W. Khawaja, in the letter, said another important pending issue was the Plant Breeders Rights bill, which would ensure that "ownership of our varieties of rice was legally claimed by us". He called for early implementation of the two laws to address the problems being faced by the farmers and exporters.