Import of plants and plant products – clearance only after approval from Quarantine authorities
Board has brought to the notice of the field that any import consignments of plants & plant products, including garlic, should not be allowed without prior clearance of the Plant Quarantine authorities. It seems there have been instances of Customs releasing the import consignments of garlic and other agricultural commodities imported from China and other countries without reference to the Plant Quarantine Stations. Board cautions that such action could lead to the inadvertent introduction of dangerous quarantine pests into the country and also result in loss of revenue that would otherwise have been realized through Plant Quarantine inspections and treatment of the imported consignments. It is also informed that Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has stopped issuing any more permits for the import of garlic from China with immediate effect due to repeated interceptions of a fungus that could adversely affect the indigenous production of garlic and garlic group of crops.
Board’s F.No. Dated: January 25th, 2006