Import Permits Made Mandatory For Plants, Fruits & Seeds

The agriculture ministry has made import permits and phyto-sanitary certificate issued by authorised officers mandatory for all imports of plants, fruits and seeds.

A notification to this effect has been issued to amend the provisions of the Plants, Fruits and Seeds (regulation of import) Order, 1992 (PFS Order). It will come into effect from June 1, 2001.

No consignment will now be imported, even for consumption, unless it is accompanied by the import permit and phyto-sanitary certificate, according to a statement issued by the agriculture ministry.

However, cut flowers garlands, bouquets, fruits and vegetables weighing less than two kgs imported for personal consumption will be allowed to be brought in without a phyto-sanitary certificate or an import permit. Detailed guidelines have been issued to all plant quarantine officials to implement the amended Order.

 

Import of plants and plant materials is regulated under the Destructive Insects and Pests (DIP) Act, 1914 and the PFS Order, 1989. An amendment of this Order in 1992 exempted the requirement of import permit for plants, fruits, seeds and any other material of plant origin imported for consumption.

Material imported as accompanied baggage and through international postal channels was also allowed to be imported without a phyto-sanitary certificate or an import permit.

However, even after the current revision of policy, the relaxation of import permit for mushroom spawn culture by 100 per cent export oriented units and tissue culture materials of any plant and flower seeds will continue.