Modi govt is importing more onions under relaxed rules to deal with supply & price issues. But experts fear for India’s agricultural biodiversity.
New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government’s decision to relax fumigation norms for imported onions might result in the entry of disease-carrying onions and harmful pests in Indian markets, agriculture experts have told ThePrint.
On 6 November, the agriculture ministry relaxed fumigation norms and waived the penalty for non-compliance until 30 November, which was later extended up to 31 December. The move came in a bid to improve the key staple’s domestic supply and check prices that had soared to Rs 100 per kg.
According to the 2003 plant quarantine order, the phytosanitary and fumigation process — treatment carried out to prevent import of weed/alien species in the form of pests and diseases — is mandatory for the exporting countries to get done at their end.
With the relaxation in rules for onion, these processes can be performed upon their arrival at Indian ports, and there won’t be a penalty of quadruple inspection fee on importers over non-compliance.
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