Landmark Halal Certification Bill Passed

Landmark legislation in the form of the Pakistan Halal Authority Bill 2015 was passed on Monday.

The Bill was approved by the Senate Standing Committee on science and Technology at a committee meeting chaired by Senator Usman Saifullah.

It was approved by all stakeholders after all outstanding issues had been worked out.

The Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain, stressed the need for strong regulation of the trade of food items in Pakistan.

The committee pointed out that such laws are needed to avoid the sale and consumption of haram items. It was also acknowledged that the Bill can help to boost Pakistan’s Halal exports and that certification of halal products is needed.

There are currently no checks and balances in place to ensure that non halal items are not used in the preparation of food items in Pakistan, and that 85% of food items in Pakistan is imported from non OIC countries.

Halal food export is a $200 million industry, and that the Minister of Science and Technology does not currently have the mandate to block the entry and trade of Non Halal products in Pakistan.

In this regard, it was agreed that there is a need to establish a regulatory body to investigate and uphold the provisions of the Bill.

The Bill proposes a maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment, and a Rs1 Million fine for violations in relation to import/export of Halal products without Halal certification.

Currently, state governments are responsible to ensure that haram ingredients are not sold in Pakistan, it was agreed that measures to improve proper halal certification efforts must include members the provincial governments and meat and poultry producers.

The bill, already approved by the National Assembly in December, will now be presented to the upper house for approval.

If the Bill is passed by the Senate it will again be forwarded to the National Assembly for approval with any amendments.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=52310

Posted by modousarr on Jan 26 2016. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.