US apples pose bio-security and health threat

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.

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