No plant quarantine station at BIA

Bangalore : Despite Bangalore being a flourishing floriculture hub, alarmingly there is no plant quarantine station at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA).
The rule book mandates that an international airport cannot open without a quarantine station to enforce plant quarantine regulations. There should have been quarantine stations at all entry and exit points, which otherwise could become an easy route to bring in unwanted goods.
Sadly, the law is only on paper. The Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage of the agriculture ministry, which is the apex body for implementation of these regulations, operates through quarantine stations in different parts of the country. These stations are the entry and exit points -- airports, seaports and land crossings.
This is shocking as Bangalore is an international hub for cultivation and export of cut flowers and roses. At BIA, there's no check on plant, seeds or plant materials brought in bulk by private companies or individuals from other countries. Also, there's no high-grade scanner to check organic matter.
The head of plant quarantine, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, R K Khetarpal told TOI that over the years during quarantine processing, many pests have been intercepted in imported bulk consignments for research purposes. Plant pests and diseases are major contributors to biotic stresses that result in about 25% annual loss of crop produce in India. The total crop produce is estimated at 230.67 million tonnes for 2008-09.
Regulatory measures are operative through the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914 (Act 2 of 1914). Its purpose and intent are to prevent introduction of any insect, fungus or other pest, which is, or may be, destructive to crops. Pest risk analysis is now mandatory for all plants or plant material prior to their import to India as per Plant Quarantine (PQ) Order, 2003.
16/02/09 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Feb 2009, Cargo Feb 2009