ISLAMABAD: During the three days visit of the Vice President of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, two Agreements/Memorandums were signed, one was “Framework Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation” and the other was “Memorandum on the Requirements of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free zone where vaccination is practiced”, Press Information Department (PID) reported.[the_ad id=”31605″]China imposed a ban on import of Pakistani rapeseed meal into China three years before due to SPS issues. The ban will hopefully be uplifted once a protocol proposed by the Chinese Government will be signed between the two governments.
The framework agreement on Agricultural Cooperation between Pakistan and China shall be executed and implemented through the Ministry of National Food Security & Research of Pakistan and Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs of China.
This agreement holds an important position in the backdrop of CPEC and promotes cooperation in the areas of mutual interest in the field of agriculture. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has already developed a strong base for mutual cooperation between the parties in a variety of fields which include “Agriculture Development and Poverty Alleviation” as one of the long-term key areas of cooperation.
The goals set in the Agricultural Framework Agreement will be achieved in next five years, the areas included in the agreement for cooperation are: Inputs and agricultural technology extension services; Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS); Food processing and pre-and-post-harvest handling and storage of agricultural produce; Genetic resources of crops, livestock and poultry; Selection and breeding of new breeds of animals and new varieties of plants; Feed Fisheries and aquaculture; Research and development of new high-yield varieties; Precision agriculture; Pest and disease control.
The Government of Pakistan through the M/o National Food Security & Research and provincial governments is focusing international halal meat market. To achieve the desired level of meat export, FMD free zones are to be developed, the Government is rigorously pursuing the target in extensive collaboration with FAO and it is a very proud moment for Pakistan and M/o National Food Security and Research that the ministry has been selected as joint winner with Rwanda, of the Edouard Saouma Award for the development of the National Control Program for Foot and Mouth Disease in Pakistan funded by the FAO.
The MoU is signed between Ministry of Agriculture China and M/o National Food Security Pakistan for establishing FMD free zones for the purpose of export of animals and their products from Pakistan to China. The purpose of the memorandum is the establishment of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Free Zone where vaccination will be practiced.
The FMD free zone will be constructed within the territory of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan according to the agreed common requirements of the Parties, and the Chinese side will provide technical assistance and support.