Phyto Clearance/NOC Must for Import of
Frozen Green Peas
China Irks Customs
[CBEC Circular No.
02 dated 9th February 2010]
Subject: Import of frozen green
peas.
I am directed to
invite your attention to the Board’s Circular No. 39/2004-Customs dated
3.6.2004 and Instructions
F.No.450/19/2005-Cus.IV 2nd April, 2009 regarding implementation of the
provisions of Phytosanitary requirements under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation
of Import into India) Order, 2003.
2. Now, it has been brought to the notice of
Board by the Ministry of Agriculture that import of agriculture commodities
into India is permitted only after conducting Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for the
commodity and subsequent notification under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of
Import into India) Order, 2003. PRA
involves detailed study and documentation after consulting various published
scientific data/literature to identify pests associated with it, their
morphology, behaviour, risk posed etc., thereby identifying pests of quarantine
importance to India with prescription of suitable scientific risk mitigation
measures. Further, the imported
agricultural commodities are subjected to inspection before clearance to ensure
freedom from pests and diseases.
However, certain instances have come to the notice where consignments of
frozen green peas imported from China were released by customs without
referring these to the Plant Quarantine authorities. This is of serious concern in view of the
risk posed to bio-security of the country as the frozen green peas may be
infested with the nematode pest.
3. Accordingly, it is requested that all import
consignments of frozen green peas should be referred to Plant Quarantine
authorities for proper inspection, and clearance should be permitted only after
necessary no objection certificate/ phytosanitary clearance etc., has been
given by the Plant Quarantine authorities.
4. Further, instructions contained in Board’s
Circular No. 39/2004-Customs dated 3.6.2004 and Instructions
F.No.450/19/2005-Cus.IV 2nd April, 2009 are hereby reiterated.
5. These instructions may be
brought to the notice of all concerned by way of issuance of suitable Public
Notice / Standing Order.
6. Difficulties, if any, in
implementation of the Circular may be brought immediately to the notice of the
Board.
F.
No.450/14/2010-Cus.IV