The Cost of Regulatory Failure and the Myth of “Double Fumigation”
Agricultural Biosecurity system of Pakistan is not just a formality. It is a farmers’ front line defence, as well as that of food security and public revenue. We need to find out what’s going on with the clearance of 38 imported cargoes from January to August 2026.
According to these documents, this consignment contained GM soybean and GM canola, GM lentils and GM palm kernel. Primary criticism is that cargo was released when there were deviations between the import permit conditions and treatments, and the declarations made in the accompanying phytosanitary certificates by the Department of Plant Protection (DPP). The accusations in the letter are that inspections conducted could have been visual and ignored specified sampling and documentation; and the violations were not recorded or reported to the exporting authorities.
But, if it can be proved, this is not a disagreement of papers only. It can only be termed a breakdown of risk governance. Pathways are identified in pest risk assessments as being a threat to a crop, hence the need for permit conditions. A visual inspection which does not show any live insects cannot prove the grain to be free from pathogens, nematodes, weed seeds or concealed pests. Nor is it possible to simply assume that another treatment can be the equivalent based on its use overseas. Assess & accept equivalence on evidence.
Hence, the term “double fumigation” should be looked at and analysed. An importer who fails to comply with the treatment outlined in the permit does not automatically render the arrival stage measure needless repetition it is the right action to take to correct the problem that must be carried out before releasing. When convenient, convenience shouldn’t be the yardstick for phytosanitary compliance.
Issues do not only relate to the health of plants. According to the brief, 35 shipments were of GM grains totalling some 1.9 million tonnes worth approximately US$898 million and clean sweep measures such as devitalisation were not carried out. These are indicative numbers and are subject to an independent audit but show the extent of the public interest involved. Proper inspection and treatment could well be the cheapest premium costing many dollars when considering the extent of the pest situation, contaminated export consignment or unintentional spread of viable seed.
Pakistan must have an independent investigation, rather than statements from both departments that are protective in nature. The authorities should “make available permits, certificates, records of inspections, and clearance orders; trace and test stocks that were affected; inform exporting plant protection agencies of the non compliance and re evaluate the conditions of permits through the proper legal technical bodies, and with a new risk assessment.
Biosecurity is not protectionism or is not an impediment to trade. The basis of valid trade. Pakistan would not be able to ask for the trust in its exports if it shows its nonchalant attitude towards import safeguards. A regulator’s test isn’t how fast it clears cargo, rather it’s if it keeps the country secure via legal, consistent and transparent means.
