US apples pose bio-security and health threat
Cita favours change in quarantine order lest it hurts farmers’ interset

Apples imported from the US in India pose serious biosecurity and health threat.
According to a case study by Centre for International Trade in Agriculture and Agro-based industries (Cita), Indian quarantine laws are silent on these pests. Any new insect or pest will hurt Indian farmers badly because they will have to buy new pesticides, which can be patented and which inturn will increase the cost of production for Indian farmers. There are in all 380 pests of apple in the world of which 184 are in the US. Nearly 87 pests warrant quarantine measures.

Cita has recommended that quarantine requirements for the import of apples from the US must include a detailed pest risk analysis (PRA) within the WTO framework on the following pests before permitting US apples in India, amendment of the quarantine order with immediate effect, otherwise these pests will enter India causing economic loss to apple producers and adversely impact exports. When contacted by FE, officials from the commerce ministry and the agriculture ministry looking after WTO issues declined to comment.

Some of the 87 pests include green stink bug, Caribbean fruit fly, South American fruit fly, Mexican fruit fly, great brown twist moth, flea beetle, blackheaded webworm, European maize borer, dogwood borer, pearly underwing moth. “The entry of these pests must be restricted as they will seriously hurt Indian apple producers,” Cita observed.

According to Cita, Indian consignments will face rejection due to more pesticide residues and farmers will suffer due to higher level of toxins in their surroundings. Cita has warned that overall competitiveness and food safety in the country would suffer. Cita cited that the access for Indian mangoes was stopped in Australia during 2003 after Australia withdrew fumigant ethylene dibromide as a post harvest disinfestation measure.

Cita has also suggested that National Research Centre and Krishi Vigyan Kendras should be asked to step up surveillance in their areas of activities to report any pest or disease observed. There should be a monthly statement by the quarantine department on how many consignments came to Indian ports, how many were tested, how many were detained or destroyed and what was the corrective action taken to prevent the entry of contaminated consignment in the country.