Report on the Inward Mission from Pakistan on Scottish Seed Potatoes March 2010

Transcription

1 Report on the Inward Mission from Pakistan on Scottish Seed Potatoes March 2010 Executive Summary An inward seed potato mission from Pakistan was organised by the Potato Council and Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) with the aim of influencing the Pakistan import conditions, improving contacts with Pakistani officials and impressing the quality benefits from classification, testing, handling and inspection of seed potatoes in Scotland. The domestic and import seed potato conditions in Pakistan date back several decades, with no real consistency between them. The delegation consisted of three high-ranked plant health officials from the Pakistan Government (Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Adviser and Director General from the Department of Plant Protection, Director General from the Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department) and one representative of the private sector. The delegates visited SASA headquarters to attend seminars and discussions, and to take part in a tour of facilities related to the Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS). They were also shown how different parts of the Scottish seed potato industry meet the requirements of the SPCS during visits to four different potato businesses. The inward mission has led to greatly improved relationships with Pakistani officials and a vital increase in the understanding of the Scottish seed potato production system. There was agreement to look at harmonisation of the import conditions for Pakistan with international standard, including the UNECE. The officials also felt that more trade should be possible with the UK, given its historical links to Pakistan. It was also discovered that Pakistan would like to set up a seed certification scheme to allow them to once multiply imported seed. This would help raise yields and improve the affordability of seed. 1

2 Purpose & Objectives The purpose of the inward mission was to improve contacts with Pakistani plant health officials, show them in person how classification, testing, grading and inspection of seed potatoes in Scotland is conducted and to discuss the possibility of harmonisation of Pakistani seed potato legislation with international standards. The objective was to help prevent future rejections of Scottish seed potato consignments by Pakistan and to improve a current level of trade. Background From around 3,000 ha at the time of independence, the area under production in Pakistan increased to around 112,000 ha during 2004/2005. During the same period the average yields rose from around 9 tonnes per ha. in 1947 to 18 tonnes per ha. Pakistan is selfsufficient in potatoes for household consumption. Presently, it is estimated that the total annual domestic production amounts to around 2.02 Million tonnes, of which 280,000t is used as seed and 1.7 Million tonnes is available for consumption after post harvest losses. Less that 10,000t of seed planted is certified. With a population of roughly 150 Million, this accounts to 11 kg per capita per annum. The main potato growing area is the Punjab region. The reliance of locally produced FSS, also produced in the tropical Punjab region results in poor quality to seed potatoes. The recent large increase in production was mainly reached by an intensification of the cultivation in existing potato growing areas (the Punjab). A small amount of seed is imported in to Pakistan, mainly from European countries like Holland and Scotland. However, his is usually planted in October/November in the Punjab as a ware crop. This makes quality seed very expensive. This results in the seed contributing to about 35-40% of the total cost of production in Pakistan. Formal certified seed production is very limited. Lack of availability of sufficient quantities of good seed and low purchasing power of the farmers, forces them to rely on seed sources of doubtful quality or own production, for which most of them do not have the proper skills. Ironically farmers and consumers are faced with serve cyclical fluctuations in price, as production moves from glut to shortage. This prevents the farmers from enjoying a reliable income and inhibiting the consumer from including potato as a regular staple part. Tonnage of Scottish seed potatoes exported to Pakistan has constantly increased over the last few seasons: from 1 tonne in 2004/2005 to 800 tonnes in 2008/2009 season with Hermes, Atlantic and Saturna being the main varieties exported last year. 2

3 Pakistan Inward Mission Delegation members Mr Shahid Hussain Raja Additional Secretary Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Islamabad Dr Tasneem Ahmad Adviser and Director General, Department of Plant Protection, Karachi Mr Muhammad Boota Sarwar Director General, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, Islamabad Mr Chaudhry Muhammad Ikram Representative of the private sector 3

4 Summary of the visit Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture 8 & 10 March 2010 The Pakistani delegation was received at SASA Headquarters by Dr John Kerr, Head of Potato Section, for the first day of the visit. The programme started with an official welcome to Scotland by Prof Gordon Machray, Head of SASA, in presence of Dr Kevin O Donnell, Head of Rural Scientific Services, SASA, Mr John Speirs, Senior Policy Analyst, Plants, Horticulture and Potatoes, Scottish Government -Rural Directorate, Mr Duncan MacRae, Head of Crops & Plant Health Branch, Scottish Government - Rural Payments & Inspections Directorate, Dr Jon Pickup, Head of Virology and Zoology Branch, SASA, Dr Colin Jeffries, Head of the UK Potato Quarantine Unit and Plant Health Consultant - Plant Health Branch, SASA, Ms Anna Krakowska, Potato Co-ordination Officer, SASA and Mr Mark Prentice, Head of Seed and Export, Potato Council. The Pakistan officials then attended four seminars: An introduction to SASA (Dr Kevin O Donnell) An introduction to the Potato Council (Mark Prentice) Presentation on Scottish seed potatoes and seed potato classification (Dr John Kerr) Presentation of the UNECE international standard for seed potatoes (Dr John Kerr) The delegates were given a tour of SASA facilities related to the SPCS. Staff from different sections within SASA briefed the visitors on nuclear stock, virus testing, PCN testing, molecular diagnostics and SPCS administration. A discussion of a range of topics (see below) took place throughout the visit, in particular during a final meeting at SASA on the third day. 4

5 Issues discussed regarding Scottish seed potato consignments to Pakistan Existing Pakistani seed potato regulations: Pakistan import and domestic phytosanitary standards for seed potatoes (see Appendix 1 and 2) were supplied by Pakistani delegates. The domestic regulations appear more strict that the import ones. This creates potential for import tolerances to become stricter at short notice. Dr Kerr presented the comparison of Pakistan, Scottish and UNECE standards. Mr Raja was also supplied with copies of Scottish plant health regulations regarding potatoes. After a discussion, the Pakistan officials expressed their intention to review their phytosanitary standards, be compliant with international recognised standards and where possible harmonize with international ones. Mr Raja confirmed that any changes were relatively easy and were the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. They do not require a lengthy parliamentary process. It was agreed that SASA and the Pakistani MoA would liaise about this process. SASA authority to issue the phytosanitary certificates The Pakistani delegation was slightly confused by DEFRA SASA relationship, and the issuing of phytosanitary certification. It was agreed that explanatory / confirmation letter would be issued to Mr Raja and Dr Ahmad. Setting up a seed potato growing region in the Northern Part of Pakistan Further to discussing import conditions, Mr Raja suggested that Scottish seed could be multiplied in Pakistan for one generation. This would require export of seed in January, for ware production after one generation in October/November. To do this they would need to establish a seed potato region in The Northern Part of Pakistan. Climate there was described as similar to the Scottish one.. It was underlined by Mr Raja that this project also has a wider political and economic perspective and importance (fighting poverty which leads to engagement in insurgency). Mr Raja also stated that international funding could be available to help the Pakistan government establish this. The obvious difficulties surrounding investment in unstable regions were discussed. Mr Raja was keen to express that the key to this was government support in Pakistan, which he could provide. He also stated that the private sector in Pakistan establishing trading links with exporting countries was vital. Mr Raja even suggested that the Government in Pakistan could subsidise seed production in this region to get it established. Potatoes produced there could the be sent to Punjab for further production It was agreed that the MoA in Pakistan would seek funding for a scoping study to establish the possibilities. Scottish Government would support this process, through the UK government. Scottish Government could also supply technical help. Technical co-operation agreement A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the future technical joint working to be created between both governments was discussed. This would give Pakistan a legal framework for research and development projects, and to allow them to search for external funding. It was agreed that Mr Boota Sarwar and Dr Kerr would be designated for ensuring 5

6 communication on this subject. Dr Kerr invited Pakistani technical experts to Scotland to attend the tuber and growing crop inspection courses as well as in vitro laboratory technical training if needed. Scottish and Pakistan private sector co-operation It was explained that there are companies in Pakistan who would like to develop trading links with overseas companies. This development would be fundamental to any development of seed multiplication in Pakistan. Both parties agreed they will encourage their country trade representatives to establish mutually beneficial relations. It was agreed that the possibility of facilitating a meeting of UK and Pakistan companies during a potato related show/event would be useful. Boota Sarwar and Dr Ahmad agreed to identify seed potato importers in Pakistan who they would encourage to be present on such meeting and provide details to the Potato Council. Variety registration in Pakistan The building of trading links between UK and Pakistan companies would encourage the registration and trialling of new varieties in Pakistan. Seed Potato Industry Visits 9 March 2010 On day two of the programme, the Pakistan delegates visited mini-tuber production facilities, seed potato farms and met with representatives of the trade. They were accompanied throughout their tour by Mr Mark Prentice (Potato Council) and Mr Ramsay Borthwick (SG RPID Inspectorate). The officials were shown how different parts of the Scottish seed industry meet the requirements of the SPCS and Pakistan. At one of the farm visits a demonstration of an official inspection of a consignment of seed potatoes was organised by Mr Ramsay Borthwick. Conclusions & Implications During the visit it was recognised by the Pakistan officials that Pakistan needs to evaluate it s domestic and import phytosanitary conditions. Harmonisation with international standards was acknowledged. Indeed, it was claimed that if altering import conditions would aid investment in Pakistan this could be done. Mr Raja indicated that more trade should be possible given the historic links between the UK and Pakistan. This coupled with Scotland s ability to produce high quality seed potatoes, fitted with his aim to multiply imported seed to produce more affordable seed, of better quality than their current reliance on farm saved seed. The proposals being put forward by the Pakistan officials were ambitious, but it was pleasing to see such a positive approach to this and the changing of import conditions. Scottish Government recognises the aims of the Pakistan Government to explore the potential to create seed production areas in the Northern part of Pakistan, and have offered technical and scientific support to their Pakistan counterparts. Achieving this aim 6

7 will be difficult, but it is important that the British potato industry embraces this request, rather than it be left to others. It will be important to follow up the visit with regular dialogue between SASA and Pakistan. There is also potential to explore the opportunity of private companies from Pakistan meeting British exporters. The reaction of the delegates demonstrated that the Inward Mission fulfilled its aim of showing them how the SPCS works in practice in Scotland, and the professional approach to seed potato production. The Inward Mission also established direct communication channels between Pakistan and Scottish plant health officials, making it easier to solve any future problems with Scottish seed potato consignments in Pakistan quickly and amicably. Result of the Inward Mission: Both parties agreed to nominate named contacts for the future discussion between two countries on seed potato matters and were also able to agree that these lead contacts will Mr Muhammad Boota Sarwar and Dr John Kerr. Both Scottish Government and Pakistan Ministry of Agriculture agreed that they would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the future technical joint working, and that Pakistan officials would provide draft text to assist in drafting this. Potato Council agreed to explore introductions between UK and Pakistan commercial companies (possibly around an international potato event). Pakistan intends to harmonise its seed potato legislation with international standards and Scottish Government undertook to provide any supporting information to assist in that regard. Both sides agreed that they would explore the options for a project to establish seed production regions in the Northern parts of Pakistan). This would be taken forward in two parts: - Feasibility study. Both parties would seek Department For International Development (DFID) funding for this. - Implementation. If successful, further funding would be sought within Pakistan, UK and internationally. 7

8 If you would like to discuss this mission further please contact: Dr John Kerr, SASA, tel Ms Anna Krakowska, SASA, tel Mr Mark Prentice, Potato Council, tel

9 Annex 1: Pakistani Seed Potatoes Import Phytosanitary Standards 9

10 Annex 2: Pakistani Seed Potato Domestic Phytosanitary Standards 10