Role of Plant Quarantine in Preventing Entry of Exotic Pests

Abstract

Plant quarantine is a government endeavour enforced through legislative measures to regulate the introduction of planting material, plant products, soil and living organisms, etc. in order to prevent inadvertent introduction of pests (including fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, insects and weeds) harmful to the agriculture of a country/state/region, and if introduced, prevent their establishment and further spread. ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) is authorized to issue import permit and undertake quarantine of plant germplasm including transgenics and for issue of Phytosanitary Certificate for material under export. Adopting a systematic workable strategy, using a combination of conventional and modern techniques, over the past forty- five years, a total of 78 exotic pests including fungi (6), viruses (19), insects/mites (26), nematodes (9) and weeds (18) of great quarantine significance to India have been intercepted. All efforts are made to salvage the infested/infected materials; however, if the material is unsalvageable, it was incinerated. The interceptions made signify the potential dangers in import of planting material if proper quarantine measures had not been followed. ICAR-NBPGR, also makes concerted efforts to develop and customize the modern detection and eco-friendly salvaging techniques to minimize the risk of escape in quarantine processing. Scientifically sound and transparent risk analysis prior to import is an important tool, so that, our agricultural production is not jeopardized. The Indian phytosanitary regulations provide a fragmented legislative system which needs to be harmonized and integrated to holistically deal with national biosecurity while complying with international norms. Also, there is a need to support research, training, capacity-building, networking and information sharing activities at both national and regional levels.