The Hindu Business Line : Making farm imports safe

THE AGRICULTURE MINISTRY should be commended for bringing out under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914 a detailed gazette notification called the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 which establishes procedures and quarantine requirements for importing plants, planting materials and agricultural products for planting and consumption. The comprehensive document is, no doubt, an attempt to collate all import procedures for various agricultural commodities, seeds and planting materials. Issued with the stated purpose of prohibiting and regulating the import of agricultural articles, the regulation has become necessary in the present free-trade regime. Following the removal of quantitative restrictions on imports since 2000-01, the home market stands open to a wide variety of agricultural crops and goods. If not monitored, there is the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country to the detriment of the already fragile domestic agriculture. Some articles can potentially impact the biodiversity. Therefore, the raison d'etre of the regulation is unassailable.

The notification covers all agricultural commodities including grains (rice, wheat, coarse cereals, pulses), oilseeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, edible nuts, cotton, etc. The notification lists plants/planting materials and countries from where imports are prohibited, and gives justification for the prohibition. While import of certain articles is restricted to authorised institutions with additional declarations and special conditions, plants/planting materials permitted for import shall be subject to some more caveats. Importantly, any consignment can be brought in only against an import permit issued in accordance with specified phyto-sanitary requirements. There are a whole lot of dos and don'ts for importers. For instance, conditions on fumigation of import goods at the origin and documentation in support thereof, or devitalisation of soyabean meant for import. Some of the procedural stipulations are impractical and a few others cumbersome. The Government has started to receive complaints protesting against some of the provisions of the new regulation.

To address the genuine concerns of importers, needed is a thorough review of procedures. This must, however, be done without compromising the overall objective, of regulating imports without impeding the smooth flow of goods. India is forced to import several essential commodities on a regular basis — pulses and cotton, for instance. Pulses importers fear that some of the stipulations will retard the pace of imports. It is necessary for the policymakers to find practical and effective solutions to trade-related problems by initiating a process of dialogue with different commodity-based associations. India's trading partners are keenly watching the developments here. So, it is important to ensure that the regulations are WTO-compatible, lest the country is accused of erecting non-tariff barriers. Needless to add, unless the plant quarantine offices are strengthened with latest testing equipment and trained personnel, the purpose of regulation may not be served.

More Stories on : Editorial | Agricultural Policy

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Making farm imports safe

Why cell-phones are a threat to air safety

2004: Year of risk appetite vs. aversion

Not Required in India?

Not by infotech alone!

Information by the block