Islamabad, July 10, 2019 (PPI-OT): International Seed Testing Associations (ISTA) has formally declared accredited status for Central Seed Testing Laboratory (CSTL), Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department (FSC and RD), Islamabad. FAO Pakistan over the last two years has been actively supporting FSC and RD in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. First, under the Technical Cooperation Programme “Building Capacity of Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department to Facilitate Seed and Plant Supply Industry Regulation” followed by the ongoing TCP “Improved Capacity in Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Varietal Development and Integration in the Seed System”.
Playing an instrumental role in setting up the necessary systems and expertise required, FAO with the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department organized a training programme (2-4 April 2019) on “Seed Sampling and Seed Testing to meet ISTA Accreditation Requirements”. Two international consultants, Dr. Maria Duter Elena and Dr. Sergio Pasquini trained the officials, covering areas of seed sampling, purity analysis and moisture testing in line with International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) guidelines, while reviewing the systems and procedures put in place. This training enabled the Central Seed Testing Laboratory Islamabad in meeting the last and final requirements of accreditation.
FAO Representative Ms. Mina Dowlatchahi distributed certificates at the closing ceremony of the training, and announced ongoing support from FAO for this venture, including financial support to FSC and RD for ISTA annual membership fee payment. She stated, “The accreditation of the first Pakistan Central Seed Testing Laboratory Islamabad is an important achievement making headway and bringing to international standards Pakistan’s Seed System”.
FAO implemented the Technical Cooperation Programme Facility (TCPF) on “Improved Capacity in Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Varietal Development and Integration in the Seed System”. This technical cooperation aimed to facilitate government institutions in professional handling of plant genetic resources, crop variety development and seed system regulations in line with international best practices.
This enabled institutions to align their activities and programmes in line with the amendments through enactment of “Seed (Amendment) Act 2015” and separate legislation of “Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Act 2016”. TCPF supports the concerned public and private sector institutions in improving their capacity in plant genetic use and varietal development programmes through adopting international good practices as well as align their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in line with international treaties /agreements.
For more information, contact:
National Information Officer
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355720
Cell: +92-300-8553790
Email: ishrat.rizvi@unic.org