India reviews plant quarantine regulations

Washington, Jul 13: India has reviewed plant quarantine regulations pertaining to the import of almonds, according to an Indian Embassy release here.

According to the new rules, with effect from yesterday, India will allow almonds fumigated with phosphine at a minimum basis of 40 grams per thousands cubic feet for seven days into the country.

Earlier, Quarantine Regulations required fumigation by methyl bromide of all almond imports into India, the release issued yesterday said.

The measure is expected to benefit US almond growers. Exports of almonds from US to India accounted for 127 million dollars in 2005, an increase of 28.7 per cent over the previous year.

The US government, on behalf of the almond exporters had taken up the matter with the Government of India for allowing fumigation to be done by phosphine rather than methyl bromide.

Meanwhile, during the last two years, export consignments of almonds from the US had been allowed entry into India and fumigation was done by methyl bromide at the port of arrival.

Following, examination of data submitted by the US authorities pertaining to trials carried out with phosphine, the Indian plant quarantine regulations have been reviewed, the release said.

The Indian government has notified that with effect from July 12, imports of almonds into the country will be permitted provided they are fumigated with phosphine at a minimum basis of 40 grams per thousands cubic feet for seven days so as to result in complete mortality of all live stages of quarantine pests i.e. Mediterranean flour moth and Apricot Chalcid and the treatment will be endorsed on the phytosanitary certification.

As is required for all such changes, this decision is subject to any objection filed with the Department of Agriculture till September 30, 2006.

The resolution of the almonds fumigation issue will be a welcome step for the almond growers in the US who have benefited from the growing market for almonds in India.

UNI