Pakistani sanitary and phyto-sanitary officials visit the UK

 

London: The UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) sponsored Pakistani delegation that is currently visiting the UK visited the Pakistan High Commission in London on 18 November, 2011 and briefed the High Commissioner Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan and officers about the their study tour.

 

The 10-member delegation led by Mr. Aamir Nazir Gondal, Joint Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan comprises the officials from federal and provincial ministries/departments concerned with food safety, animal health and plant health matters is visiting the UK to develop their understanding of modern approaches to regulatory controls of agriculture and food sector enterprises to ensure that food and agricultural exports are safe, healthy and meet import country requirements.

 

The delegation has visited a number of UK regulatory authorities and supporting institutions. At the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the members received presentations of the organisation of the UK's food safety system, including inspections by local authorities. They were able to follow the FSA's response to an important outbreak of food poisoning reported in the UK. The Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) demonstrated the UK's system of animal disease control and also explained the system of control of veterinary drugs applied to farm animals, and monitoring to ensure that levels in food did not exceed permitted levels.

 

Visits were undertaken to a border inspection post to observe the implementation of controls on imported and exported products at the UK borders. In York, the group were received by the City Council, who showed how food safety was managed at the local level, by using risk management to obtain the maximum efficiency from limited resources. An official reception by the City York was hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House.

 

The delegation has also observed the top UK reference laboratory (Laboratory of the Government Chemist) and learnt how, in the UK, the outsourcing of testing services to the private sector has helped to support regulatory controls.

 

The Group also met with food safety professional organisation, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, with a view to developing linkages on professional development in the future.

 

 

November 20, 2011

 

 

Last updated: 21 November 2011