Appearance of dead insects: US decides to check 100 percent rice consignments

United States has decided to check 100 percent rice consignments exported from Pakistan due to recent increase in appearance of dead insects in the rice consignments. This was disclosed by Ian C Winborne, Plant Health Advisor, US Embassy Islamabad during a meeting with the representatives of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP) here on Tuesday.
REAP team was led by its Vice Chairman Taufiq Ahmed Khan while Basmati Growers Association (BGA) President Hamid Malhi, former REAP executive committee member Mian Iqbal Ijaz, Dr Ashfaq Ahmed and Dr Amin Ullah representing Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Lahore and Karachi respectively also participated in the meeting.
Ian C Winborne, Plant Health Advisor of USA invited the attention of the participants regarding appearance of Khapra Beetle in rice consignments sent to USA. He threw light on the current situation with regard to KB interceptions in the USA. Ian further said that Department of Plant Protection would certify that each rice consignment has been inspected according to the US requirements by the issuing a phytosanitary Certificate. He said that the appearance of dead insect in rice consignments exported to USA had increased recently and the US Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) taking serious note of it has decided to check 100 percent rice consignments exported from Pakistan, he added.
During the discussions Taufiq Ahmed Khan, Vice Chairman REAP highlighted that Khapra Beetle problems arises in some of the rice shipment exported to US and the Association was taking this issue on top priority with the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).
Taufiq further added that the Association in collaboration with the DPP would be holding one-day workshop at Lahore and Karachi for the awareness of rice exporters about Khapra Beetle (Dead Insect) appearance in the rice consignments particularly to USA, Mexico and Russia.
During the discussions Dr Ashfaq Ahmed, Entomologist, DPP Lahore participating in the discussion said that they were seriously working on the issue of Khapra Beetle and finding the ways and means to resolve this issue and save rice consignments from it in future. Dr Ashfaq said that we are sure that during the coming days we will be able to meet this challenge and resolve this issue in the larger interest of rice export sector.
Dr Aminullah, Director, DPP, Karachi said that the DPP is working to publish Green Book containing precautionary measures for Rice Exports for USA, Mexico, and Russia to ensure that their rice consignments to these countries were free of Khapra Beetle (Dead Insect).
Taufiq Ahmed Khan, REAP Vice Chairman also suggested another meeting with the members of the Association to highlight the problems being faced by the exporters to USA and to look for possible measures to resolve these hardships. Ian agreed with the proposal of Taufiq Ahmed Khan for such future interaction. Taufiq Ahmed Khan highlighting the performance of REAP members said that during the year till 30th June 2011 approximately 18000 M/Tons valuing approx $19 million of rice had been exported to USA.