Primary Phyto-sanitary concerns of the DAC.

2. Primary Phyto-sanitary concerns of the DAC. • To prevent introduction of exotic plant pests by regulating import of plants/plant materials through adequate policy based on PRA. • To support our agricultural exports through comprehensive & credible export certification. • Standardization of protocols/ standards for quarantine inspection/ testing & pest surveillance as also for delineation of pest free areas for specific crops. in line with the IPPC’s International Standards.

3. Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 • Import related concerns, such as the need to regulate imports of - • various plant and plant materials, based on their PRA and the requisite crop specific additional declarations • Food grains, Cotton, Germ-plasm, transgenic materials, deleterious weed species, live insects/fungi & other microbial cultures, packaging material of plant origin, soil, timber & wooden logs etc (in view of significant pest/ weed risk associated thereto) - have been adequately addressed in the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003, which is available at the DAC website, i.e. http://agricoop.nic.in.

4. Expectations of the DAC from the States • State Govt. assistance required in establishment of 35 New PQ Stations • In finding suitable buildings for immediate opening of the station. • In finding suitable land for construction of office/laboratory buildings.

5. 35 New PQ Stations, as identified to be established, during the X Plan

7. Standardization of Phytosanitary Certificates for exports • All PSC Issuing Authorities are required to follow uniform proforma / stationary for phytosanitary certificates to avoid rejection of our export consignments by importing countries. • The PSC should contain all information required by the laws / regulations of the importing country and should be clearly signed and stamped by the issuing authority. • The PSC format (which is as per the IPPC accepted PSC proforma) has been circulated to all State Governments and PSC issuing authorities by DAC.

8. Issues relating to phytosanitary certification • Provision exists for Grants-in-aid for PSC Issuing Authorities of States for the Strengthening of export testing and certification activity, including testing laboratories - Proposals to be sent to DAC. • States should develop a system for regular technical auditing of export certification work being undertaken by their PSC issuing authorities. – DAC assistance available

9. Delineation of Pest Free Areas Needed - Vigorous and regular plant pest / disease surveillance / surveys, especially for crops with export potential. Such surveillance and surveys should be as per International Standards, i.e. Guidelines for Pest Surveillance (ISPM-12) and Guidelines for Regular Surveillance for Identification and Establishment of Pest Free Areas (ISPM-4), in association with DAC, State Agricultural Universities and ICAR.

10. Pesticide Residue Content in export consignments. • Needed - emphasis on residue testing of agricultural commodities slated for exports. Pesticide residue content reports may be insisted upon, before issuing PSC for export consignments of grapes and other fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in case of EU Countries. • Need to encourage farmers to use only registered chemical pesticides, as approved for specific crops, observing the recommended waiting periods to avoid unacceptable levels of pesticide residue contents.