US apples come after pest checks

The government today clarified that apple imports from the USA would not carry pests to India as international conventions of plant quarantine regulations are followed.
“There are no reports of interception of any quarantine pests from the imported apple consignments from USA, nor any non-compliance of Indian plant quarantine regulations,” agriculture ministry clarified.
The ministry’s clarification follows media reports that apples imported from the USA are not being quarantined properly and might be carrying pests to India.
The ministry said as per the procedure for quarantine of plant material entering India, the exporting country has to provide necessary phyto-sanitary certificate.
Besides, the exporter has to meet certain conditions to ensure that no infestation enters India. Once at Indian ports of arrival, the consignments are inspected and approval is granted only after the consignment has passed through an established procedure, the ministry said.
Every imported consignment of apples is also thoroughly screened on arrival for presence of any pests and diseases of quarantine significance, the ministry said in a press note.
Plant Quarantine system has established quarantine centers at the air and sea ports of entry. Such stations New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have established laboratory facilities for diagnosis of quarantine pests and diseases.
“There is an established procedure for inspection and approval for release of imported agricultural commodities including the apple from USA,” the note said.