Press Release
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!PAFDA and CABI sign cooperation agreement for science-led food safety systems and solutions
The Punjab Agriculture, Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) has signed an Agreement of Cooperation (AoC) with CAB International (CABI) to strengthen collaboration in scientific research, data systems, capacity building, and knowledge exchange across agriculture, food safety, environmental protection, and public health.
The agreement was signed at PAFDA headquarters in Lahore by Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Director General, PAFDA, and Dr. Sabyan Faris Honey, Regional Director, CABI. The ceremony was attended by senior scientists and technical leadership from both organizations. The signing was witnessed by Dr. Babar E. Bajwa, Executive Director, Asia Pacific, CABI, along with Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Member Food PAFDA.
The collaboration brings together CABI’s global expertise in agricultural and environmental sciences with PAFDA’s state-of-the-art analytical infrastructure and scientific workforce, creating a strong platform to advance regulatory science and address emerging challenges in food safety and agriculture.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha emphasized the importance of moving beyond formal agreements towards actionable outcomes, highlighting that sustained engagement and structured collaboration would be key to delivering impact. He noted that a detailed joint work planning exercise has already been scheduled for 20th and 21st April, where both institutions will develop a comprehensive roadmap for the coming year.
The two organizations identified priority areas for immediate collaboration, including biopesticides and biological solutions, pesticide residue monitoring and risk assessment, and reduction of mycotoxins in food and feed to improve safety for consumers and animals. The partnership will also focus on strengthening scientific frameworks for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides and other contaminants, supporting evidence-based regulatory decision-making.
Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on the development of pesticide residue monitoring systems and databases, linking local analytical data with global scientific knowledge platforms. The partnership will also enable access to CABI’s international scientific databases and training platforms, supporting capacity building of PAFDA scientists in areas such as biopesticides, biofertilizers, contaminant analysis, and risk assessment.
In addition, the collaboration will extend to joint research projects, microbial and genomic studies, and development of technical publications addressing key challenges in food safety, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Babar E. Bajwa, Executive Director Asia Pacific, CABI, highlighted that the partnership represents “a strong step towards translating global scientific knowledge into local solutions,” emphasizing that collaborative efforts between institutions like PAFDA and CABI can significantly contribute to safer food systems, sustainable agriculture, and improved public health outcomes in the region.
Both organizations emphasized that the agreement marks the beginning of a long-term, implementation-focused partnership, with a clear commitment to delivering measurable outcomes through joint scientific work, capacity building, and data-driven regulatory systems.