Daily Times

KARACHI: The influential fisherman of the metropolis has illegally obtained a licence for a fish meal factory despite ban of the European Union (EU), Daily Times has learnt.

According to sources, the provincial minister for fisheries had clearly directed the authorities that no licence will be issued to any one from May 28, 2015 onwards so as to protect the environment and species of fish in the waters.

“You are requested to issue directives to the concerned quarters to impose an instant ban on the licence to the fish meal factories with immediate effect”, said a letter of the minister available with Daily Times.

Later, the Sindh Fisheries director general was also requested to take immediate action as advised by minister livestock and fisheries.

However, despite all official correspondence, an influential fisherman namely Sikandar Jat illegally got fish meal licence for his firm, Pak China Fish Meal on July 6, 2015, located at Deh Rehri, Karachi.

Sources disclosed that Fisheries Assistant Director Qadir Bux Charan had illegally issued the licence to Sikandar Jat by violating all the orders of his seniors despite ban on fish meal factories by the European Union.

The Sindh Fisheries Department (SFD) director received a letter from Fisheries Marine assistant director which stated that, “It is informed that Sikandar has applied for registration and issuance of licence of his fish meal factory, Pak China Fish Meal, located at NC 26 Deh Rehri Malir, Karachi. The undersigned has registered and issued licence to the above fish meal factory for the year 2015-16 up to June 30 this year against payment of government fees.”

According to sources, the EU passed a Council Decision in December 2000, which states that, “As a precautionary measure, it is appropriate to prohibit on a temporary basis, the use of animal protein in animal feed, pending a total re-evaluation of the implementation of community legislation in member states. As this prohibition could have environmental implications, if not controlled properly, it is necessary to ensure that animal waste is collected, transported, processed, stored and disposed of in a safe manner. This prohibition should not apply to the feeding of fish meal to animals other than ruminants.”

The EU decision entered into force on January 1, 2001 and is always applied. In addition, the feeding of fish meal to animals other than ruminants, can take place only in accordance with the conditions pertaining to requirements for fish meal plants, transportation, storage, labeling and traceability of fish meal consignments from production to utilisation as per EU decision in December 2000.

The banning of the use of fish meal for feeding ruminants does not have a significant impact on the international fish market. Indeed, the loss of the EU market for fish meal in ruminant diets was estimated at only 70 000 tonnes.

When contacted, Sindh Marine Fisheries Director Rukhsana told Daily Times that Sikandar Jat had last year obtained a licence illegally. “Now the influential Sikandar Jat is using different tactics to get renewal of his licence as it has become mandatory to export fish in the world market”, she said. The director said, “His prior licence was illegal and he will not get a renewal of his licence for fish meal factory.”