Question : DANGEROUS PESTS IN IMPORTED FRUITS



(a) whether the Government are aware that certain imported fruits carry dangerous pests;

(b) if so, the details of foreign fruits being imported;

(c) whether any risk analysis has been done by the Governemnt on allowing import of fruits;

(d) if so, the findings thereof and the precautionary measures taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) whether India lacked the required quarantine measures and testing facilities;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(g) whether many countries have banned import of Indian fruits though their products come unchecked into the country; and

(h) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

Answer given by the minister


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.