Legal Experts Say Khashkhash Is Food, UN Must Revisit The Single Convention

Jan 31, 2022 |

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has asked the ministry of commerce (Mincom) to urge the United Nations (UN) to revisit the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 and do away with the bar on White Food Grade Poppy Seeds (Khashkhash) by virtue of the fact  that standard  has been adopted by Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) for it as food and food ingredient.

Legal experts said the ban on its cultivation and trade has now become in fructous and UN must allow its free trade of import, export and transit forthwith.

UNISAME president Zulfikar Thaver also  said it is high time the UN comprehends the fact that the signatories to the UN Single  Convention 1961 have committed themselves to the other variety of poppy seeds which are for different purposes altogether and not for white food grade poppy seeds known as Khashkhash which is food and food ingredient with multiple nutrient and health values.
A message from a very senior legal expert stated as under:
“Well said. I agree with this, are there other exporters of khashkhash? I expect multiple signatories will be required to amend the UN position and therefore sharing with them would be good.”
UNISAME Council has requested the Mincom, the Federal Board of Revenue ( FBR) Custom officials and the PSQCA to convene a joint meeting to resolve the matter in the best interest of SME farmers and traders.

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