SAHIWAL, April 24: Wheat seeds worth Rs5 billion will be damaged if the Punjab Food Department does not define its policy regarding inter-district wheat mobility, said representatives of the Association of Seed Companies of Pakistan.

Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, association president, told a press conference on Thursday the self-imposed ban on wheat movement was against the prime minister’s announcement that no inter-district wheat transportation ban existed in Punjab.

He said farmers used 20 per cent certified seeds and 80 per cent traditional seeds. Of 20 per cent certified seeds, 15 per cent is supplied by private certified seed companies and 5 per cent by the public corporations. He said the illegal ban had affected certified seed companies the most as police had harassed them.

He said a truck laden with 200 seed bags was impounded by Dalwaryam police station in Pakpattan. The truck was carrying bags of Sohni Dharti Seed Company.

He said the department had banned the wheat movement just to meet their procurement targets in districts.

He said farmers would suffer due to the ban as they would not be able to get the certified seed. He dispelled the impression certified seeds companies lacked proper storage and seed processing facilities.

He said the accusers were not aware of the fact the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department issued license to seed companies. He alleged bureaucrats were showing efficiency to the Punjab government to secure the wheat procurement target.

He demanded the withdrawal of self-imposed ban so that certified seed companies could buy the yield and store in their facilities.