Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Azerbaijan and Pakistan to jointly fight plant diseases and pests

19 May 2025 11:13 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan and Pakistan will cooperate in combating plant diseases and pests, APA reports.

This is reflected in the draft law discussed today at a session of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Agrarian Policy Committee titled "On the Approval of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."

The agreement was signed on February 24, 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan. It aims to facilitate joint efforts against plant diseases and pests, prevent the spread of harmful organisms, and ensure the safe circulation of agricultural products and food security.

The document provides a legal framework for mutual phytosanitary control and alignment with international standards. It is fully compatible with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the World Trade Organization’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS), ensuring practical implementation of these commitments bilaterally.

Food Safety Agency of The Republic of Azerbaijan and Pakistan Ministry of National Food Security and Research are designated as the responsible bodies for the agreement’s implementation. These agencies are tasked with inspecting products, issuing phytosanitary documentation, notifying each other in case of harmful outbreaks, and exchanging quarantine lists.

The agreement applies to all items that may pose a risk of carrying harmful organisms, including agricultural plants, plant-based products, soil, and packaging materials. Such products must be accompanied by official phytosanitary certificates and transported in packaging that complies with IPPC standards. In case of non-compliance, the importing country reserves the right to return, neutralize, or destroy the products, with all related costs borne by the consignor.

The agreement enters into force once both parties complete domestic ratification procedures and notify each other through diplomatic channels. It is valid for five years and is automatically renewed for subsequent five-year periods unless either party decides to terminate it. Any amendments must be mutually agreed upon and confirmed in the form of a protocol.

The agreement holds strategic importance for Azerbaijan as it ensures compliance with international phytosanitary requirements for agricultural exports. It facilitates access to foreign markets for Azerbaijani products while also creating an effective legal mechanism to prevent the import of harmful organisms. Thus, the agreement serves both economic interests and biosanitary security.