No ban on Pakistani rice export in China, clarifies Commerce Ministry

• China is following strict protocol measures including checking import consignments for COVID- 19 virus presence before port clearance
• Senate body told the rice consignments were detained for port inspection but were later released after conformity with the Chinese government protocols
• Abdul Razak Dawood told the committee that China has stopped import of rice from Pakistan after coronavirus was found on the sacks

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has clarified that China has not imposed any ban on rice exports from Pakistan.

In a statement, the ministry rejected the reports circulating on media relating to the alleged export ban by China on Pakistani rice and said that the Chinese government was following strict protocol SPS measures including checking import consignments for COVID- 19 virus presence before port clearance.

The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce presided over by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada was told that Pakistani export consignments of rice were detained for port inspection and detections but were release after conformity with the Chinese government protocols, read the statement.

The clarification came after Trade and Investment Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood told the Senate panel that China has stopped import of rice from Pakistan after coronavirus was found on the sacks.

According to a report published in The News, Razak said that China reported that it found dead coronavirus on the rice bags on which it decided to suspend the import of commodities.

According to Razak, traces of COVID-19 were also found in the packaging of six fish companies, consequently, China also stopped imports from these companies. 

Dead virus traces were found outside the bottom of the rice sack, while live coronavirus traces were found outside the fish packaging, he said.