‘ ‘The New Plant The New Plant Quarantine Order’Quarantine Order’

INDIAINDIA

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF INDIAN PLANT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF INDIAN PLANT QUARANTINE STRUCTUREQUARANTINE STRUCTURE

In teg ra tedP es t

M an ag em en t(2 6 S ta tion s )

P lan tQ u aran tin e

(3 3 S ta tio n s )

C en tra lIn s ec tic id esL ab orato ry

S ec re ta ria t o fC en tra l In s ec tic id esB oard /R eg is tra tion

C om m ittee

R e g ion a l P es t ic id esTes tin g

L ab orato ries(2 L ab ora to rie s )

P es tic id eR eg u la tion

L ocu s tC on tro l

(5 C irc le O ffices& 2 3 O u tp os ts )

H u m an R es ou rceD eve lop m en t

(N P P TI, H yd erab ad )

D IR E C TO R A TE O F P L A N T P R O TE C TIO N , Q U A R A N TIN E & S TO R A G EF A R ID A B A D

D E P A R TM E N T O F A G R IC U L TU R E & C O O P E R A TIO N

M IN IS TR Y O F A G R IC U L TU R E

G O V E R N M E N T O F IN D IA

Primary concerns of the Primary concerns of the Government of IndiaGovernment of India

To prevent the introduction & spread of exotic To prevent the introduction & spread of exotic pests that are destructive to the country by pests that are destructive to the country by regulating the import of plants/plant products regulating the import of plants/plant products through adequate policy and statutory measures.through adequate policy and statutory measures.

To support India’s agricultural exports through To support India’s agricultural exports through credible export certification.credible export certification.

To facilitate safe global trade in agriculture by To facilitate safe global trade in agriculture by assisting producers, exporters & importers and assisting producers, exporters & importers and by providing a technically comprehensive & by providing a technically comprehensive & credible Phyto-sanitary Certification.credible Phyto-sanitary Certification.

A Background of hitherto existing A Background of hitherto existing P.Q. Statute and Regulations..(2)P.Q. Statute and Regulations..(2)

Plant Quarantine Regulatory Measures in India Plant Quarantine Regulatory Measures in India operate on the basis ofoperate on the basis of ‘ ‘The Destructive Insects The Destructive Insects & Pests Act, 1914’& Pests Act, 1914’ promulgated to prevent promulgated to prevent introduction and spread of destructive pests introduction and spread of destructive pests affecting crops. Rules promulgated for regulating affecting crops. Rules promulgated for regulating import of live insects in1941; of fungi in 1943; and import of live insects in1941; of fungi in 1943; and of cotton in 1972. of cotton in 1972.

New Seed Policy, 1988New Seed Policy, 1988 , formulated in 1988 to , formulated in 1988 to provide access to best available seeds and planting provide access to best available seeds and planting material to Indian farmers, domestic & imported.material to Indian farmers, domestic & imported.

‘‘The Plants, Fruits & Seeds (Regulation of The Plants, Fruits & Seeds (Regulation of Import into India Order, 1989Import into India Order, 1989’, notified for ’, notified for prohibiting and regulating the import into India of prohibiting and regulating the import into India of plants/ plant materials and the like, based on post-plants/ plant materials and the like, based on post-entry Quarantine checks. This order is being entry Quarantine checks. This order is being replaced by the new Plant Quarantine Order’2003replaced by the new Plant Quarantine Order’2003

Why a new Plant Quarantine Why a new Plant Quarantine RegulationRegulation??

Liberalised trade in agriculture, a fallout of the WTO Liberalised trade in agriculture, a fallout of the WTO Agreements, albeit offering wide economic Agreements, albeit offering wide economic opportunities, also implied fresh challenges of opportunities, also implied fresh challenges of amplified pest risks, a corollary to the increased amplified pest risks, a corollary to the increased volumes and array of international agricultural volumes and array of international agricultural commodity trade.commodity trade.

With diverse Agro-Climatic zones, varied agricultural With diverse Agro-Climatic zones, varied agricultural produce and surplus food production, India finds itself produce and surplus food production, India finds itself in a position to exponentially expand its agriculture in a position to exponentially expand its agriculture trade, but what was required was accredit able trade, but what was required was accredit able National Standards for all critical Phyto-sanitary National Standards for all critical Phyto-sanitary activities. Need for compliance with stringent activities. Need for compliance with stringent International Phyto-sanitary Regulations was felt International Phyto-sanitary Regulations was felt invariably and continually.invariably and continually.

Why a new Plant Quarantine Why a new Plant Quarantine Regulation?....contdRegulation?....contd..(1)..(1)

Urgent need to fill-up the gaps in existing PFS Urgent need to fill-up the gaps in existing PFS order viz., regulating import of Germplasm/ order viz., regulating import of Germplasm/ GMO’s/ Transgenic plant material; Live GMO’s/ Transgenic plant material; Live Insects/Fungi including Bio-control Agents etc.Insects/Fungi including Bio-control Agents etc.

To facilitate safe conducting of global trade in To facilitate safe conducting of global trade in agriculture and thereby fulfill India’s legal agriculture and thereby fulfill India’s legal obligations under the international agreementsobligations under the international agreements

To protect the interest of the country’s farmers by To protect the interest of the country’s farmers by preventing the entry, establishment and spread preventing the entry, establishment and spread of destructive pests, vectors and alien species.of destructive pests, vectors and alien species.

To protect the national plant life and environmentTo protect the national plant life and environment To safeguard the national bio-diversity from To safeguard the national bio-diversity from

threats of alien specie invasions.threats of alien specie invasions.

Why a new Plant Quarantine Why a new Plant Quarantine Regulation?....contdRegulation?....contd..(2)..(2)

The need was being felt for incorporation The need was being felt for incorporation of Additional/ Special Declarations for of Additional/ Special Declarations for freedom of Import commodities. from freedom of Import commodities. from Quarantine and Alien pests, on the basis Quarantine and Alien pests, on the basis of Standardized Pest Risk Analysis, of Standardized Pest Risk Analysis, particularly for seed/planting materials.particularly for seed/planting materials.

Need was felt for review of the existing Need was felt for review of the existing Import phytosanitary requirements for Import phytosanitary requirements for several other agricultural commodities as several other agricultural commodities as also for a comprehensive notification to also for a comprehensive notification to cover imports of Germplasm/ GMO’s/ cover imports of Germplasm/ GMO’s/ Transgenic plant materials; Live insects & Transgenic plant materials; Live insects & Microbial cultures including Bio-control Microbial cultures including Bio-control agents.agents.

Salient Features of New PQ Salient Features of New PQ Order Order

Scope of P.Q. activities widened with incorporation of Scope of P.Q. activities widened with incorporation of additional definitions. additional definitions.

P.R.A. made condition-precedent for imports.P.R.A. made condition-precedent for imports.

Prohibition on import of commodities with weed/ alien Prohibition on import of commodities with weed/ alien species contamination; & restriction on import of species contamination; & restriction on import of packaging material of plant origin unless treated.packaging material of plant origin unless treated.

Provisions included for regulating the import of:-Provisions included for regulating the import of:-

# Soil, Peat & Sphagnum moss.# Soil, Peat & Sphagnum moss. # Germplasm/ GMOs/ Transgenic material for research.# Germplasm/ GMOs/ Transgenic material for research. # Live insects/ Microbial cultures & Bio-control agents.# Live insects/ Microbial cultures & Bio-control agents. # Import of timber & wooden logs# Import of timber & wooden logs..

Salient features of PQ Order-Salient features of PQ Order-Contd.(1)Contd.(1)

Agricultural imports classified as (a) –Agricultural imports classified as (a) –Prohibited plant species; (b)- Restricted Prohibited plant species; (b)- Restricted species where import permitted only by species where import permitted only by authorised institutions; (c)- Restricted authorised institutions; (c)- Restricted species permitted only with additional species permitted only with additional declarations of freedoms from Quarantine/ declarations of freedoms from Quarantine/ Regulated pests and subject to specified Regulated pests and subject to specified treatment certifications and ; (D)- Plant treatment certifications and ; (D)- Plant material imported for consumption/industrial material imported for consumption/industrial processing permitted with normal PSC. processing permitted with normal PSC.

Permit requirement enforced on imports of Permit requirement enforced on imports of seeds including flower seeds, propagating seeds including flower seeds, propagating material and mushroom spawn culturesmaterial and mushroom spawn cultures

Salient features of PQ Order-Contd.Salient features of PQ Order-Contd.(2)(2)

Additional declarations being specified in Additional declarations being specified in the Order for import of 144 agricultural the Order for import of 144 agricultural commodities, specifically listing as many as commodities, specifically listing as many as 590 Quarantine Pests and 61 Weed species.590 Quarantine Pests and 61 Weed species.

Notified Points of entry being increased Notified Points of entry being increased dramatically to 130 from the existing 59.dramatically to 130 from the existing 59.

Certification fee and Inspection Charges’ Certification fee and Inspection Charges’ structure being rationalised.structure being rationalised.

Harmony with the IPPCHarmony with the IPPC The proposed phyto-sanitary measures are designed to The proposed phyto-sanitary measures are designed to

prevent global spread of noxious pests and are based on prevent global spread of noxious pests and are based on justified scientific principles with PRA as cornerstone.justified scientific principles with PRA as cornerstone.

Provisions made applicable to packages and Provisions made applicable to packages and transportation..transportation..

Inspection/Certification to be as per IPPC Article- IV.Inspection/Certification to be as per IPPC Article- IV. Phyto-sanitary Certificates to be in the IPPC Article-V Phyto-sanitary Certificates to be in the IPPC Article-V

format and as per P.Q. requirements of importing format and as per P.Q. requirements of importing country, and to be issued after careful inspection and the country, and to be issued after careful inspection and the required treatment.required treatment.

Emphasis on capacity enhancement and Emphasis on capacity enhancement and development/training of staff.development/training of staff.

The order will be put on our website and will be The order will be put on our website and will be accessible to one and all and will be transparent and accessible to one and all and will be transparent and shall apply uniformly to all exporting countries/ parties.shall apply uniformly to all exporting countries/ parties.

Issue of the Import PermitsIssue of the Import Permits

Different formats devised for applications for issue of Different formats devised for applications for issue of Import Permit for consumption and for propagative Import Permit for consumption and for propagative materials. materials.

Commercial import of seeds of Coarse cereals/ Commercial import of seeds of Coarse cereals/ Pulses/ Oil seeds/Fodder crops & planting materials Pulses/ Oil seeds/Fodder crops & planting materials of Fruit plant species to require prior clearance.of Fruit plant species to require prior clearance.

Applications for seeds/planting material required to Applications for seeds/planting material required to be accompanied by a registration certificate issued be accompanied by a registration certificate issued by :-by :-

(1) National Seeds Corporation/ Director of (1) National Seeds Corporation/ Director of Agriculture/ Horticulture of State Government and; Agriculture/ Horticulture of State Government and;

(2) Certificate of approval of PEQ facilities by the (2) Certificate of approval of PEQ facilities by the Designated Inspection Authority.Designated Inspection Authority.

Procedures for issue of Permit- Procedures for issue of Permit- Contd..Contd..

Separate Permit formats introduced for Consumption Separate Permit formats introduced for Consumption and Propagative plant materials, and to be issued and Propagative plant materials, and to be issued within a maximum period of 3 working days of within a maximum period of 3 working days of submission of an application..submission of an application..

Pre-import finalization of P.R.A. made compulsory for Pre-import finalization of P.R.A. made compulsory for certain commodities, where P.R.A.has not been done certain commodities, where P.R.A.has not been done in the country. in the country.

Permits for import of soil/peat and for import of Live Permits for import of soil/peat and for import of Live Insects/ Microbial cultures and Bio-control agents to Insects/ Microbial cultures and Bio-control agents to be issued only by the. Plant Protection Adviser, the be issued only by the. Plant Protection Adviser, the technical head of PQ service in the country.technical head of PQ service in the country.

Permits for import of Germplasm/ GMOs/ Transgenic Permits for import of Germplasm/ GMOs/ Transgenic plants to be issued by Director, National Bureau of plants to be issued by Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New DelhiPlant Genetic Resources, New Delhi

Procedures for issue of Procedures for issue of permit-----Contd…permit-----Contd…

Permits issued to be valid for six months Permits issued to be valid for six months and further extendible by another six and further extendible by another six months.months.

Permits not transferable and no permits Permits not transferable and no permits to issued for landed consignments.to issued for landed consignments.

Relaxations from conditions of the Relaxations from conditions of the Order, necessitated by emergency & Order, necessitated by emergency & unforeseen circumstances, to wrest unforeseen circumstances, to wrest with the Union Ministry of Agriculturewith the Union Ministry of Agriculture

Initiatives and Activities Initiatives and Activities envisaged for envisaged for

Upgradation/Strengthening PQ Upgradation/Strengthening PQ facilitiesfacilities

35 new PQ Stations to be opened across the 35 new PQ Stations to be opened across the country by year 2005 at all major and minor ports.country by year 2005 at all major and minor ports.

Development of -Development of - Integrated Information Management SystemIntegrated Information Management System Integrated Pest Risk Analysis System and Integrated Pest Risk Analysis System and

establishment of National PRA unit for establishment of National PRA unit for conducting Integrated Pest Surveillance. conducting Integrated Pest Surveillance.

Integrated Phyto-sanitary Border Control SystemIntegrated Phyto-sanitary Border Control System National Phyto-sanitary Database.National Phyto-sanitary Database. National Management Centre for Phyto-sanitary National Management Centre for Phyto-sanitary

Certification to continuously review the national Certification to continuously review the national standards for export Phyto-sanitary certification.standards for export Phyto-sanitary certification.

Initiatives/Activities for Initiatives/Activities for Upgradation/ Strengthening PQ Upgradation/ Strengthening PQ

facilities-Contd…(1)facilities-Contd…(1) Establishment of advanced Molecular Diagnostic Establishment of advanced Molecular Diagnostic

facilities at Major P.Q. Stations for rapid pathogen facilities at Major P.Q. Stations for rapid pathogen detectiondetection

Computerization and Networking of all the P. Q. Computerization and Networking of all the P. Q. Stations Stations

Standardization of Export Certification process so Standardization of Export Certification process so that uniform and credible certificates, with common that uniform and credible certificates, with common format and seal are issued by all PSC issuing format and seal are issued by all PSC issuing authorities, both in Central and State Governments, authorities, both in Central and State Governments, across the country. across the country.

Human resource development and skill upgradation/ Human resource development and skill upgradation/ training programmes for Scientists,Researchers and training programmes for Scientists,Researchers and others.others.

Obtaining ISO Quality certification for major PQ Obtaining ISO Quality certification for major PQ Stations Stations

Initiatives/Activities for Initiatives/Activities for Upgradation/ Strengthening PQ Upgradation/ Strengthening PQ

facilities-Contd…(2)facilities-Contd…(2) Guidelines for training of PQ InspectorsGuidelines for training of PQ Inspectors Guidelines for the development of new Guidelines for the development of new

disinfestation techniques and vapour heat disinfestation techniques and vapour heat treatment of fruit fly host commodities.treatment of fruit fly host commodities.

Development of fumigants as alternative to Development of fumigants as alternative to the ozone depleting Methyl Bromide.the ozone depleting Methyl Bromide.

Development of International Standards for Development of International Standards for Phyto-sanitary Measures (ISPM)Phyto-sanitary Measures (ISPM)

Guidelines planned for accreditation of post Guidelines planned for accreditation of post entry quarantine facilities and inspection.entry quarantine facilities and inspection.

Action Plan for Pest Risk Action Plan for Pest Risk Analysis starting DecemberAnalysis starting December

20032003 Establishment of a National PRA Unit Establishment of a National PRA Unit

within six monthswithin six months Organising PRA training/ Workshop Organising PRA training/ Workshop

involving National/ International experts involving National/ International experts for prioritizing crops/commodities for for prioritizing crops/commodities for undertaking PRA and Establishing working undertaking PRA and Establishing working groups-Next six monthsgroups-Next six months

Development of programme links-2monthsDevelopment of programme links-2months Development of pest data base for new 39 Development of pest data base for new 39

commodities by June, 2004.commodities by June, 2004. Development of detailed PRA for the Development of detailed PRA for the

above 39 commodities within plan period, above 39 commodities within plan period, 13 commodities yearly. 13 commodities yearly.

Crops to be taken up for Crops to be taken up for PRA on priorityPRA on priority

Strawberry Banana Kiwi Musk Melon Water Melon Pears Strawberry Banana Kiwi Musk Melon Water Melon Pears

Mandarin Cashew nut AppleMandarin Cashew nut Apple Grape Citrus fruits LentilGrape Citrus fruits Lentil

Red Beans Chick Pea Jute Black Gram Green gram CottonRed Beans Chick Pea Jute Black Gram Green gram Cotton

Crops to be taken up for Crops to be taken up for PRA on priorityPRA on priority

WheatWheat Rice Barley Rice BarleyMaize Baby Corn Pearl milletMaize Baby Corn Pearl milletSorghum Lettuce GarlicSorghum Lettuce GarlicBroccoli Potato Chinese Broccoli Potato Chinese

Cabbage Cabbage Mustard Mustard Sunflower Safflower Sunflower SafflowerLinseed Castor Rape seedLinseed Castor Rape seed

POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF NATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIESNATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES

The national IPM Programme is the mechanism to prevent The national IPM Programme is the mechanism to prevent and control the threat posed by Invasive Alien Species and control the threat posed by Invasive Alien Species within the country.within the country.

System of Domestic Quarantine exists and is used when System of Domestic Quarantine exists and is used when required.required.

There is growing involvement of State Govts, NGOs, There is growing involvement of State Govts, NGOs, Private Sector, Research institutions and Farmer Self-help Private Sector, Research institutions and Farmer Self-help groups for surveillance and detection of pests/ diseases groups for surveillance and detection of pests/ diseases and for taking eco- friendly corrective action within the IPM and for taking eco- friendly corrective action within the IPM scheme.scheme.

Locust/ Migratory Locust is a menace for the Asian region Locust/ Migratory Locust is a menace for the Asian region and we have active coordination with FAO and our and we have active coordination with FAO and our neighboring countries for surveillance, early detection and neighboring countries for surveillance, early detection and control measures for the same. There has been no major control measures for the same. There has been no major incidence reported in the region this year incidence reported in the region this year

POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF NATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES.(2)NATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES.(2) A peculiar cyclic problem reported from North-Eastern A peculiar cyclic problem reported from North-Eastern

parts of India, relates to unexplained but parts of India, relates to unexplained but sudden surge sudden surge in rodent populationin rodent population and activity after an interval of and activity after an interval of every few years. The menace a peak is simultaneous every few years. The menace a peak is simultaneous with Gregarious with Gregarious Bamboo FloweringBamboo Flowering. The said problem . The said problem has already surfaced and is likely to peak by 2006-2007, has already surfaced and is likely to peak by 2006-2007, causing loss of crop. Research and preventive control causing loss of crop. Research and preventive control measures are in full swing. Being studied are the rodent measures are in full swing. Being studied are the rodent characteristics, damage capacity, pathways associated characteristics, damage capacity, pathways associated and environment friendly control strategy , also using the and environment friendly control strategy , also using the traditional knowledge of the local agrarian community of traditional knowledge of the local agrarian community of the region. This problem is thankfully confined to a small the region. This problem is thankfully confined to a small hilly region of the country.hilly region of the country.

POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF POLICY FOR THE CONTROL OF NATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES.(3)NATIONAL INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES.(3) Research being conducted to study impact of Climate Research being conducted to study impact of Climate

Change on threat of Invasive Alien Species; Being given Change on threat of Invasive Alien Species; Being given greater importance since serious White Woolly Aphid greater importance since serious White Woolly Aphid infestation of Sugarcane crop in parts of peninsular India in infestation of Sugarcane crop in parts of peninsular India in 2002, which caused substantial crop damage and losses. 2002, which caused substantial crop damage and losses. This pest had, previously, never infested Sugarcane in India This pest had, previously, never infested Sugarcane in India and therefore was a surprise infestation. and therefore was a surprise infestation.

The task of research, future prevention and control The task of research, future prevention and control measures being handled by Ministry of Agriculture in measures being handled by Ministry of Agriculture in coordination with other Central Govt. Departments, coordination with other Central Govt. Departments, concerned State Govts, ICAR, other research institutions and concerned State Govts, ICAR, other research institutions and Agriculture Universities, Private Sector and Sugar Factories.Agriculture Universities, Private Sector and Sugar Factories.

Albeit, the worst is over and severity of the White-Woolly Albeit, the worst is over and severity of the White-Woolly Aphid, recorded last year in over 200,000 ha of Sugarcane, Aphid, recorded last year in over 200,000 ha of Sugarcane, has reduced substantially this year. However, almost 75000 has reduced substantially this year. However, almost 75000 ha of the crop is still infested and continues to be a matter ha of the crop is still infested and continues to be a matter of concern. of concern.