Status of Plant Protection in India in the Wake of International Agreements

The discipline of plant protection is assuming enhanced importance owing to the implications of phytosanitary issues in trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO) 1995 and also for complying with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 1992 for conserving the environment. There are several national regulations, which have to play a critical role in this direction. The new Plant Quarantine (Regulation for Import into India) Order (2003) and its subsequent amendments are one of India's initiatives to comply with the Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of WTO, as far as quarantine is directly concerned. Under this, India has already undertaken pest risk analyses for 392 plant species and 15 national phytosanitary standards have been developed. The National Seed Policy (2002) emphasizes on excluding exotic diseases and pests in the national seed production programmes. The Insecticides Act (1968) takes care of the efficacy of new molecules and safety to human beings and animals and >270 pesticides including bio-pesticidal formulations have been registered. There are provisions under the Protection of Plant Variety and Fanners’ Rights Act (2001) for protection of plants/environment from biotic factors. The Biodiversity Act (2002). however, needs to develop a mechanism to restrict the movement of infected material within the country as per norms of domestic quarantine. The Environment Protection Act (1986) covers both Invasive Alien Species and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for their impact/potential impact on environment. The biosafety guidelines of Department of Biotechnology highlight the methodology for biosafety testing of GMOs before release. Technical back up is needed to ensure that our national legislations are in harmony with each other before we harmonize them with the international norms. Framing a national policy to address the emerging researchable issues in plant protection is the need of the hour.