The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has issued the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Fifth Amendment) Order, 2023. This order has come into force from 19th June, 2023.
The Amendment Order has revised the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2023.
It has inserted several a new categories of plant material that can be imported from Bhutan with additional declarations and special conditions.
These categories are as follows:
- Fresh bulbs for consumption of Allium Sativum (Garlic)
- Fresh roots for consumption of Beta vulgaris (Beet Root)
- Fresh fruits for consumption of Cucurbita moschata (Pumpkin)
- Fresh fruits for consumption of Musa paradisiaca (Banana)
- Fresh vegetables for consumption of Raphanus sativus (Radish)
- Fresh roots for consumption of Brassica rapa sub sp. rapa (Turnip)
- Grain/seeds for consumption/ processing of Chenopodium quinoa (Quinoa)
The import of all these items shall be subject to the condition that they are free from plant debris, weed seeds and soil.
Moreover, Sooji and Maida can also be imported from Bhutan provided it is fumigated with Aluminum phosphide (ALP) @ 9 g/metric ton for minimum 5 days. The treatment shall be endorsed on Phytosanitary Certificate issued at the country of origin/re-export. The Phytosanitary Certificate shall also bear a declaration that it is free from storage pests.
Additionally, the Amendment has introduced Sechium edule (Chayote) which falls under the category of fresh fruits for consumption which can also be imported from Bhutan. At present, it does not stipulate for any additional declarations to be incorporated into Phytosanitary certificate. However it contemplates that the imported product shall be free from plant debris, weed seeds and soil.
