NAFSA Holds Introductory Session with Pesticides and Agro-Chemicals Sector Stakeholders

The National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) hosted an introductory session with stakeholders from Pakistan's pesticides and agro-chemicals sector at Islamabad. The meeting included representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Board of Governors of NAFSA, Pakistan Crop Protection Association (PCPA), Croplife, pesticide manufacturers and importers, laboratory and academic experts, and development partners.

The new regulatory framework under the NAFSA Act, 2026, is set to replace the outdated Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance, 1971 and Agricultural Pesticides Rules, 1973. The new framework emphasizes a modern, transparent, and digitally enabled system for registration, import/export, manufacture, dealer licensing, packing and labeling, storage, safety, testing, inspections, and complaint resolution.

During the session, key aspects of the NAFSA regulatory system were discussed, such as governance structure, science-based risk assessment, modernization with international benchmarking, technological enhancements for compliance, trade facilitation, and traceability, market access for Pakistani exports, defined service-delivery timelines, a structured complaint resolution and appeals mechanism, and a transition plan to completely replace the Department of Plant Protection by October 31, 2026.

NAFSA's Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Umair, highlighted that the establishment of NAFSA aims to shift the focus from being a gatekeeper to being an enabler, ensuring predictable, time-bound, and fully digital registration, a focus on food safety through pesticide regulation linked to maximum residue limits (MRLs), residue monitoring, and farm-to-port traceability, and an export-oriented approach.

The transition to NAFSA demonstrates the government's commitment to creating a more efficient and responsive regulatory system that supports food safety and trade.

NAFSA Director General, Mr. Muhammad Imran Khan Mohmand, emphasized the authority's dedication to building a transparent, predictable, and responsive regulatory system. He focused on simplifying processes through digitalization, introducing clear service timelines, strengthening risk-based regulation, and ensuring effective traceability throughout the supply chain.

NAFSA is committed to working closely with industry, academia, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and establish a regulatory framework that supports food safety, innovation, and Pakistan's export ambitions.