Invasive Alien Species – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

Context

• In the past 15 years, India has faced at least 10 major invasive pest and weed attacks.
• When they invade, they can
• wipe out food crops,
• alter the ecology,
• deplete water levels
• and cause diseases.

Fall Armyworm

• The most recent was the fall armyworm that destroyed almost the entire maize crop in the country in 2018.

Why such invasions?

• The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW), which is responsible for the control of invasive pests and weeds, has not investigated any invasions till date.

Entry

• Invasive pests and weeds can enter a country by flying over the border
• But when they land up at airports and dockyards in cargos of imported grain .
• Countries have animal, plant and health quarantine facilities
• India, however, seems to have let its guard down of late.

Regulations on Entry

• Phytosanitary certificate or not.
• Showing that the product is without any pest
• If the product has not been given a phytosanitary certificate, the foreign government is obliged to inform India
• The fumigation is for two to 48 hours

Check on imports

• Import of agricultural products is governed by the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914.
• The country has 108 plant quarantine centres
• The check posts at these quarantine centres are under the control of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBITC)

Way Forward

• Investigate the influx of exotic pests and weeds.
• Nepal, for instance, stopped the entry of agriculture products from India without a phytosanitary certificate in June .
• At a time when bioterrorism is a global reality, it is imperative that we get our quarantine system in order.

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