The Government of India has simplified the import process for certain seeds in the latest amendment to the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. This amendment order is titled the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Eighth Amendment) Order, 2024. It was published on June 10, 2024.
Previously, seeds of coarse cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fodder plants, and fruit species could only be imported based on the recommendations of EXIM Committee of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW). Now, by the present amendment order, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has eliminated this requirement.
Furthermore, the Schedules V and VI of the order have also been amended to reflect the removal of prior approval for these seeds. Entries for various plants like Banana (Musa spp.), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Maize (Zea mays), and Mangoesteen (Garcinia mangostana) have been updated.
Elimination of prior approval is expected to expedite the import process for these seeds. Additionally, easier access to diverse seed varieties could potentially benefit Indian agriculture.
The amendment aims to simplify import procedures while maintaining biosecurity measures.
