Indian rice - delicious but dangerous-CBEC's Damage Control Exercise
RUSSIA has recently imposed temporary sanctions on the import of rice, rice-grain and peanuts from India. Russian Radio reported, "The ban is associated with the repeated detection of a dangerous pest, the Khaprabeetle. Moscow has several times in the recent past imposed temporary moratorium on the import of Indian rice, which is a traditional product of national agriculture, well known and well appreciated in Russia. Of course, only if it is of good quality. It has become a sad tradition that the Indian side lets the situation with exports to Russia get out of control. In other words, it does not take adequate measures to establish a clear system of control over its products."
Now, Indian Customs has reacted after the Ministry of Agriculture has raised the issue of temporary ban on Import of Rice and Peanuts from India due to detection of quarantine pest in an import consignment and highlighted that CFSs conducting phytosanitary measures have no designated area for fumigation and separate storage for keeping fumigated/ treated cargo which leads to cross contamination from untreated goods/commodities.
CBEC has decided that all Customs Cargo Service Providers (CCSP)/ Custodians shall provide separate and dedicated storage space meant for fumigation and storage of post fumigated sites to enable Plant Quarantine Authorities to carryout necessary checks for both imported and export consignments.
Board desires the Commissioner of Customs concerned (not the concerned Commissioner - DDT is grateful for the correct usage) to ensure that the directions are complied with scrupulously and immediately. Board wants a compliance report by 14.08.2013.
Will the Commissioners fulfil the Board's desire?
CBEC Instruction in F.No. 450/19/2005- Cus IV, Dated: July 23, 2013