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The Department of National Food Security and Research has initiated a Rs490 million program aimed at boosting food safety monitoring and aligning Pakistan’s practices with global trade requirements. The initiative is designed to increase the capabilities of the National Veterinary Laboratory in analyzing antimicrobial residues, ensuring it meets both local and international benchmarks and facilitating the export of animal products.

As per official records provided by Wealth Pakistan, the project is named ‘National Agri Food Laboratory Standards, Accreditation and Reference Network’. Scheduled to run for three years, from July 2026 to June 2029, the program aims to enhance laboratory standards related to livestock and agri-food safety and will be carried out by the National Veterinary Laboratory (NVL), located in Islamabad.

As stated in the document, the project focuses on critical areas such as monitoring antimicrobial residues, safeguarding public health, enhancing regulatory efficiency, and adhering to global food safety and trade standards. By enhancing laboratory capabilities and veterinary diagnostic systems, the initiative seeks to promote modernization of the value chain and boost the competitiveness of Pakistan’s livestock products in international markets.

The initiative aims to create a long-term National Antimicrobial Drug Residue Monitoring Strategy that encompasses livestock and products from animals. The strategy involves providing education and certification for lab staff to improve their technical and regulatory skills, with the laboratory striving for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to confirm adherence to global quality benchmarks.

The initiative is in line with national and global development strategies, such as the 5Es Framework, the 13th Five-Year Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the National Agriculture Innovation Growth Programme (NAIGP). As stated in the document, it will also promote digital regulation within the E-Pakistan initiative. Furthermore, the project seeks to improve export certification processes by boosting food safety adherence and raising veterinary diagnostic standards, thus aiding in modernizing value chains and enhancing international competitiveness.

The initiative aims to generate accurate, prompt, and uniform residue testing reports to aid in regulatory monitoring and promote the trade of animals and animal-based products.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).