KARACHI, Sept 2: Molasses exporters have achieved accreditation from the Product Board Animal Feed (PDV), Netherlands, after implementing a high-profile quality control programme - GMP-13 - which qualifies them to export molasses to European countries.

Pakistan, a major supplier of molasses to Europe, is exporting over 1.5 million tons of molasses annually. Due to keen interest in molasses buying from Pakistan, the European Union has initiated a quality control programme for all feed material suppliers of the world.

This started from Pakistan through the UK initiated quality control programme called "Trace ability Assured Purchasing Procedures" and later followed by the Product Board Animal Feed, Netherlands, which is considered to have the recognition of all the EU members.

To pursue the GMP-3 and its awareness among sugar mill owners and suppliers, PDV Secretary-General Johan Den Hartog will be visiting Pakistan on September 8-9 for meeting with molasses exporters, sugar mill owners and chairmen of the EPB and KPT. He will also visit port facilities where handling of molasses takes place.