The inflow of
pests/diseases of plants and animals into countries through imports is
considered one of the biggest threats to diversity, leading to huge
economic losses. All of you must know that the weed Parthenium
hysterophorous, called Gajar Ghas is a highly prevalent invasive species
in India. This species is originally a native to the American Tropics
and it was introduced in India by the
contaminated PL-480 wheat, which
used to come to us from USA as food support once upon a time
in 1950s
and 1960s. Similar weeds are Phalaris minor (guli danda) and Lanatana
camara have got established in the country via the same ways.
Against this backdrop, On March 11, 2013, the Agricultural Biosecurity
Bill, 2013 has been introduced in Lok Sabha. The Agricultural
Biosecurity Bill aims bring all aspects of plant, animal and marine
protection and quarantine under a high powered statutory body
Agricultural Biosecurity Authority with adequate powers.
Here are some important observations:
Objectives of the Bill
A better regime of quarantining and controlling pests and even
"exotic species".
To cover four sectors of agricultural insecurity viz. plant health,
animal health, living aquatic resources (like fisheries) and
agriculturally important micro-organisms.
Proposed Agricultural Biosecurity Authority of India
To be established via the proposed act at Faridabad.
To be headed by a Director General, appointed by the central
government.
Comprises experts in plant and animal pests and diseases, and
representatives of various ministries and organisations.
Functions of the authority
Regulation of the import and export of plants, animals and related
products
Prevention of the introduction of quarantine pests from outside
India
Implementation of the post-entry quarantine measures.
It can issue directions to importers and exporters of such products
for the discharge of its functions.
Powers of the authority:
No person shall import any plant, animal, and plant or animal
products in contravention of notifications or guidelines issued by the
Authority.
Exceptions shall be provided to those imports that are issued
permits by the Authority, and imports with sanitary or phytosanitary
(relating to the health of plants) certificates issued by the respective
authority in the country of origin and the country of re-export.
Exports of the above products shall not be allowed except in cases
where sanitary or phytosanitary certificates have been issued by an
officer of the authority. However, such certificates shall not be
necessary if the country of destination does not require it.
The Customs Act, 1962 or other laws in force, that prohibit the
import of certain customs and goods shall also apply to those pests,
plants and animals, which require permits or are prohibited by the
Authority.
If an officer has reason to believe that any product was imported
into India in contravention of the Act, the officer may require the
holder to remove the product from India within a period of thirty days.
If the holder fails to do so, the officer may seize such a product from
him and remove or destroy it.
The Authority may award a reasonable compensation to a person for
loss or damage to non-infested plants, animals or related products
incurred by him as a result of any sanitary or phytosanitary measures.
Control of quarantine pest
No person shall possess, move, grow, raise, culture, breed or
produce any plant, animal and related products if he has reason to
believe that such a product is or may be carrying a quarantine pest.
A person shall be responsible for providing information immediately
when he becomes aware of the existence of quarantine pests or plant or
animal diseases in an area.
The Authority may notify any pest to be a quarantine pest. It can
also notify an area to be a controlled area if it suspects or determines
that the area is infested or infected with a quarantine pest.
When an area is notified to be controlled, the Authority shall
communicate the quarantine measures that the state government shall
implement. Such measures shall include the treatment or disposal of
plants, animals, their prohibition or control and other measures.
If the state government fails to take measures in a controlled area,
then the Authority can take necessary steps for the eradication or
containment of the quarantine pest. The state government shall reimburse
the costs incurred for such purposes.
Biosecurity emergencies
On the recommendation of the Authority, Central government can
declare a biosecurity emergency in an area in case of an outbreak,
distribution, or spreading of a pest or organism, which has the
potential to cause a significant loss to biosecurity.
Such declaration shall cease to have effect after six months unless
it is revoked earlier.
During the biosecurity emergency, the centre may give directions to
the Authority for managing or eradicating the organism due to which the
emergency has been declared.
Authority may notify a scheme for the management or eradication of
such an organism, with the prior approval of the central government.
Agricultural Biosecurity Fund
The bill proposes to establish a Agricultural Biosecurity Fund, in
which the money obtained by the authority as for purposes specified in
the Act will be credited and will be utilized therefrom. The authority
can also borrow funds from any source through the issue of bonds and
debentures to discharge its functions. However, to raise such funds, the
authority needs prior consent of the central government.
National Organization for international Collaboration
The Authority shall act as the national organisation to discharge
obligations under various international conventions such as the
International Plant Protection Convention. It shall provide information
related to the import, export and technical requirements for plants,
plant products and other objects, to similar international, regional or
other organisations, free of charge or on a reciprocal basis.
Thus, Bill aims to establish an authority to biosecure global trade in
farm items. The integrated national biosecurity system thus established
will be covering plant, animal and marine issues to combat threats of
bio-terrorism from pests and weeds. Such a system would not only
increase the national capacity to protect human health and agricultural
production, it would also equip the country to meet obligations under
several trade and sanitary agreements in food and agricultural products.
