MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (h): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (h) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 481 DUE FOR REPLY ON 29TH APRIL, 2002.
(a): Yes, Sir. But fruits which carry exotic pests/diseases are not allowed to enter the
country and are destroyed or sent back after following the prescribed plant quarantine
procedure. However, fruits which can be freed from pests/diseases by giving some
treatment are permitted to enter the country after treatment.
(b): Some of the important foreign fruits being imported into the country are apple, pear,
grape and citrus fruits.
(c): Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) has been carried out on apple, pear, grape and citrus
fruits.
(d): On the basis of PRA, pests of quarantine significance have been identified.
Following precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the entry of dangerous
pests:-
(i) Additional declarations and special conditions are prescribed for the
phytosanitary certificate (PSC) issued by the country of origin.
(ii) All the imported plants and plant materials including fruits are subjected to
thorough plant quarantine screening, inspection, laboratory tests and treatments
before their release at the port of entry.
(e): No, Sir.
(f): Question does not arise.
(g)&(h): Every country has its own rules and regulations for enforcing plant
quarantine restrictions on the import of plants, fruits and seeds. India has enacted
Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914 and the Plants, Fruits and Seeds (regulation of
Import into India) Order, 1989 to regulate the entry of exotic pests and diseases. Some
countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and USA have restricted the import of
Indian fruits like Mango on Phytosanitary grounds. India has also imposed phytosanitary
restrictions on the import of plants and plant materials under the above said Order for
certain commodities from a number of countries. However, as per the provisions of WTO
Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, plant quarantine restrictions
can be imposed only on the basis of scientific reasons and these should be non-
discriminatory and transparent. These restrictions cannot be arbitrary.