The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued two Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Orders. Both these orders were issued on April 3, 2024.
These Amendment Orders have revised the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
I. The Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Fifth Amendment) Order, 2024
This Order has introduced Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as Common Ash or European Ash. It is a species of tree in the family Oleaceae, i.e. the olive family of plants.
The Order states that the sawn timber / logs without bark of this plant species may be imported from Germany. However, such import must comply with the following additional declarations required to be incorporated into Phytosanitary certificate:
- Free from:
a) Agrilus convexicollis
b) Dryocoetes villosus
c) Hylesinus varius
d) Lepidosaphes conchyformis
e) Lymantria monacha
f) Neoclytus acuminatus
g) Poecilonota variolosa
h) Stenocorus meridianus
i) Xyleborus dispar
j) Bjerkandera adusta
k) Heterobasidion annosum
l) Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
m) Meripilus giganteus
n) Stereum hirsutum
o) Trametes hirsuta
Such import shall also be subject to the following special conditions:
- Heat treatment at 56oC (core temperature) for 30 minutes.
- The treatment should be endorsed on phytosanitary certificate issued at the country of origin/ re export.
II. The Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Sixth Amendment) Order, 2024
Additionally, the Sixth Amendment Order, 2024 has introduced rhizomes for propagation as a category of plant material under the ambit of the plant species of Ruscus aculeatus. This species is commonly called Butcher’s Broom. It is a small evergreen shrub native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
The Order now permits import of rhizomes for propagation from Portugal. However, such import shall be subject to the following special conditions:
- Post-entry quarantine for a growing period of 4-6 months.
- Free from soil
