Less import of fumigant irks importers, exporters

ISLAMABAD: The government’s ban on Methyl Bromide’s import has alarmed the business community as shortage of this fumigant in the country will force them to export or import their products without fumigation. Methyl Bromide fumigation is used to control the broad-spectrum insects and pests in certain goods.

Because of its high penetration quality Methyl Bromide is frequently used for fumigating timber, agriculture products, food stuff and empty containers to protect from broad spectrum of insects and pests. Many import and export goods are fumigated with methyl in order to protect them from insects. In 2018, 400,000 kilograms of Methyl Bromide was imported which has reduced to 150,000 kilogram in 2019. “If the shortage of Methyl continues, there are chances that Pakistani exporters might export their goods without methyl fumigation. This can bring a bad name to the country if any Pakistani product is found without fumigation in the international market or any insect is found in Pakistani products,” commented a well-placed source in the Department of Plant Protection (DPP).

Until December 2018 the government allowed the importers to import Methyl Bromide (MB) 99%. However, the DPP imposed ban on the MB 99 percent which was being imported from China and directed the importers to import the BM 98%. Due to this technical issue the import from China was halted and resultantly the country has to face shortage of supply.

Currently there are three companies who are registered with the DPP as Methyl Bromide importers which include Pentagon Fumigation Karachi, Pest Management Karachi and National Chemicals Karachi. Pentagon Fumigation imported Methyl Bromide from a Chinese company however due to technical reasons the DPP has banned the import from Chinese company. Similarly, Pest Management Karachi was importing Methyl Bromide from India but due to recent tensions between the two countries the import of Methyl Bromide has been stopped from the neighboring country. Only National Chemicals Karachi is importing it at the moment from the United States.

However, source claim that due to the DPP’s policies one company has been given opportunity to create its monopoly in the market. The question here arises that how can only one company fulfil the demand of Methyl Bromide for the entire country, commented the source.

The current management of the DPP had agreed that the BM99% quality is better than BM 98% which is why they allowed to import it from China. The company is registered with ICAMA (Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals Ministry of Agriculture) China for BM 99%. However, the DPP later insisted that the Chinese company must register itself with ICAMA for BM98% otherwise they will not allow it to import Methyl Bromide to Pakistan.

The sources further informed that the DPP is already being run on day-to-day basis as there is no permanent director general (DG) of the department. The tenure of current DG of Department of Plant Protection was expired in October 2019 which was extended for three more months. His tenure was again expired in January 2020 which has been extended again.

When contacted DPP DG Dr Falak Naz said due to technical issues the department banned the import of Methyl Bromide from China. The Chinese company is registered in Pakistan with MB 98% whereas the same company is registered in China with MB 99%. This is a legal issue and the DPP had asked them to remove this issue first then they will be allowed to import it.

He said it is true that allowing one company might create monopoly in the market. However, the DPP has taken up the issue in the meeting and hopefully this issue will be resolved in a month or two. Soon the Law Division will issue an SRO and then the import of BM 99% will also be allowed, said DG DPP.