WTO and its implications for Pakistan’s agriculture

WTO and its implications for Pakistan’s agriculture

Pakistan is facing growing competition and lot of pressure in international market due to restructuring of worldwide policies. Especially, in all those areas that offer a greater scope of trade expansion to Pakistan in the prominent markets of the developed countries. On the other hand, the trade related concessions granted from the developed countries have been minimal and very limited. Thus, the future prospects of potential economic growth for Pakistan before the complete implementation of agreement regarding WTO and Pakistan are not very bright. To survive and meet the requirements of international standards the various policies regarding WTO and Pakistan should be very clear. Some of the challenges which the international trade in agriculture sector encounters:

Issue of the SPS Standards
According to the WTO’s Agreement on SPS measures, “food safety practices should be used to ensure mandatory sanitary and hygienic food production. Pakistan, in order to ensure that SPS measures do not constitute disguised barriers to trade for Pakistan’s” industrial and agriculture products have to bring both agricultural and industrial products in conformity with SPS measures.  On the other hand, SPS measures are proposed to protect plant, animal and human health from unhygienic and low quality livestock, poultry and fish products. Steps need to be taken for bringing the standards of those industries and agriculture products that attracts SPS measures. In conformity with that of Codex Alimentations Commission, International Office of Epizootics, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), International Plant Protection Convention Standards

1. Issue of TBT Standards
The TBT agreement of WTO recognizes that the member countries may make domestic legislation for the protection of [human, animal, plant or health] and environment. In order to meet the challenges posed by TBT Pakistan has to “carry out to collaborate with other international agencies and certifications of international standards laboratories in Pakistan through Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC). Moreover, developed international standards under Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), which are acceptable, equivalent and recognized to all other countries, which encouraging our industries to adopt ISO standards for Quality Management system, testing  and certification of products” including packing, marking and labeling practices of agricultural items.

2. Issue of the Capacity-Building
In agriculture sector the capacity-building of the relevant department is not up to the mark as required by the global challenges in the field of agriculture and related products. However, there is need to develop a strategy for capacity-building in terms of awareness programs, strengthening the infrastructure and research funding in universities imparting education in agriculture and related sectors. Government has to change the procedural requirements of sending scientist on training and encourages the young scientist and newly appointed officials in agriculture departments to hunt for training opportunities in developed countries. Moreover, fixed 30% amount of funds must be added in all research projects because it is the need of the time under the WTO regime. The government of Punjab in collaboration with the University of the Punjab should develop mega projects for the promotion of agriculture in the province of Punjab.

3. Issue of The Plant Breeders Rights
The agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is recognition of the fact that the products of intellectual efforts are progressively gaining importance new ideas and inventions are no serving as important engines of growth. In this context, there has been pressure upon Pakistan to adopt a Plant Breeders Rights System such as union for protection of new varieties of Plants (UPOV) convention of 1991 under article. 27.3(b) of TRIPS Agreement although, Pakistan is not a member of UPOV convention However, Pakistan has promulgated PBR Act, 2015 in order to care for the interest of the Breeders with respect to the plant varieties and seeds produced by them. There is an apprehension that the law would restrict Pakistani farmers’ capacity to purchase seeds from original breeder. Moreover, majority of the farmers have a lack of awareness regarding this legislation there is a need to create awareness regarding the implications of this legislation, otherwise they may suffer economic problems.