UAE lifts ban on poultry import from Pakistan

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted eight years ban on import of poultry from Pakistan. This was announced by Ministry of Commerce after receipt of formal communications of lifting of ban. Pakistan Poultry Association held meetings with the Commerce Minister and other officials besides writing letters to the Commerce Ministry and Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
The Association had requested the government to play an effective role in encouraging governments in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, to lift a ban on the import of Pakistan's poultry products. "UAE has granted permission to import day old chicks and hatching eggs form the companies which are certified for export ministry and possessing attached health certificates, permission to import poultry meat and its products from the slaughterhouses that are certified for export by the UAE per procedures followed in this regard and health certificate," says the Ministry in a statement on Tuesday.
Commerce Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said, "Pakistan appreciates the lifting of ban on poultry by our longstanding trading partner and brotherly nation UAE". He also appreciated the cooperation extended by Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, and Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Minister for National Food Security and Research.
He lauded efforts by Pakistan Ambassador to UAE, Moazzam Ahmad Khan and Pakistan Department for Plant Protection and acknowledged Pakistan Poultry Association for their professional support during recent visit to Pakistan by UAE poultry inspectors. The UAE annually imports more than $ 700 million of poultry products, a market from which Pakistan was barred for 8 years. Lifting of the ban will open this market for Pakistan exporters, who have made commendable technological progress in recent years.