RIYADH: Saudi Arabia banned Pakistani Sea Food ‘Shrimp’ Imports after detecting disease.
The ban was enforced in the wake of World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that white spot disease is triggered in Pakistani shrimp.
However, Pakistan's Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) claimed that the ban caused by a misunderstanding as the white spot virus doesn’t affect wild shrimps.
The Department claimed that they are working on aquaculture of white shrimps production and also sold a consignment to a local processor that may cause the ban.
MFD claimed to discuss the matter with Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and OIE and will seek about the infected consignment and relevant person.
MFD also claimed to ask OIE to remove its name from the white spot deceased countries list.
Pakistan exports 12,000 to 14,000 tons shrimps per year including 189 tons to Saudi Arabia worth $2.175 million.
Overall, 140,000 tons of fish and fish preparations worth $350 million exported.
MFD claimed that the ban from Saudi Arabia will also affect its overall exports.