Committee on agriculture invites suggestions for biosecurity bill
Updated: Jun 05, 2013 02:48:24pm
New Delhi, Jun 5 (KNN) The standing committee on agriculture has invited suggestions from experts and organisations on the agricultural biosecurity bill 2013 today, the bill is still pending in Parliament.
“The agriculture biosecurity bill, 2013 introduced in Lok Sabha on March 11, 2013 and pending therein has been referred to the departmentally related standing committee on agriculture invites written memorandum containing suggestions of experts, stakeholders, organisations etc,” an official statement said here.
The bill proposes integration of plant and quarantine services, establishment of an authority for prevention, control, eradication and management of pests, diseases of plants and animals and unwanted organisms for ensuring agricultural biosecurity.
Meanwhile, the new and emerging factors including genetic engineering, climate change, bio-terrorism and trans-boundary diseases have profound implications on the plant and animal health and environment with strong connections to human health.
The bill also recommends to meet international obligations of India for facilitating imports and exports of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, aquatic organisms and regulation of agriculturally important micro-organisms.
Moreover, liberalisation of global trade in agriculture since 1995 has opened new avenues for growth and diversification of agriculture, but it has also brought in many challenges.
There is an increased risk of introduction of exotic pests and weeds in the country with the potential to cause serious economic losses. Advances in genetic engineering leading to the introduction and release of living modified organisms or their products (e.g. genetically modified organisms) require proper risk assessment and management.
Further, the bill advocates for prevention and control of pest infestation or infection, including declaration of an area as ‘‘controlled area’’ for this purpose and measures for control of such infestation or infection.
Also, provision for inspection, taking samples, entry and search of premises, checking of conveyances to ensure compliance of phytosanitary and sanitary measures and also seizure, treatment and disposal of plants, animals and their products to prevent spread of pests by designated officers are parts of the proposal.
Meanwhile, climate change has the potential to alter the habitat of known pests and even cause introduction of new pests.
“We have to contend with the ever increasing threat of bio-terrorism,” said the bill.
Further, the emergence and spread of trans-boundary diseases such as the avian influenza and the Ug-99 wheat stem rust fungus pose new threats to human, animal and plant safety.
The bill also proposes a declaration of biosecurity emergency in case of outbreak of organisms threatening biosecurity and actions and procedures to deal with it and removal of plant, animals, their products and other objects imported in violation of the provisions of the proposed legislation.
The committee is being chaired by Basudeb Acharai, Member of Parliament (MP) for examination and report to the Parliament. (KNN)
“The agriculture biosecurity bill, 2013 introduced in Lok Sabha on March 11, 2013 and pending therein has been referred to the departmentally related standing committee on agriculture invites written memorandum containing suggestions of experts, stakeholders, organisations etc,” an official statement said here.
The bill proposes integration of plant and quarantine services, establishment of an authority for prevention, control, eradication and management of pests, diseases of plants and animals and unwanted organisms for ensuring agricultural biosecurity.
Meanwhile, the new and emerging factors including genetic engineering, climate change, bio-terrorism and trans-boundary diseases have profound implications on the plant and animal health and environment with strong connections to human health.
The bill also recommends to meet international obligations of India for facilitating imports and exports of plants, plant products, animals, animal products, aquatic organisms and regulation of agriculturally important micro-organisms.
Moreover, liberalisation of global trade in agriculture since 1995 has opened new avenues for growth and diversification of agriculture, but it has also brought in many challenges.
There is an increased risk of introduction of exotic pests and weeds in the country with the potential to cause serious economic losses. Advances in genetic engineering leading to the introduction and release of living modified organisms or their products (e.g. genetically modified organisms) require proper risk assessment and management.
Further, the bill advocates for prevention and control of pest infestation or infection, including declaration of an area as ‘‘controlled area’’ for this purpose and measures for control of such infestation or infection.
Also, provision for inspection, taking samples, entry and search of premises, checking of conveyances to ensure compliance of phytosanitary and sanitary measures and also seizure, treatment and disposal of plants, animals and their products to prevent spread of pests by designated officers are parts of the proposal.
Meanwhile, climate change has the potential to alter the habitat of known pests and even cause introduction of new pests.
“We have to contend with the ever increasing threat of bio-terrorism,” said the bill.
Further, the emergence and spread of trans-boundary diseases such as the avian influenza and the Ug-99 wheat stem rust fungus pose new threats to human, animal and plant safety.
The bill also proposes a declaration of biosecurity emergency in case of outbreak of organisms threatening biosecurity and actions and procedures to deal with it and removal of plant, animals, their products and other objects imported in violation of the provisions of the proposed legislation.
The committee is being chaired by Basudeb Acharai, Member of Parliament (MP) for examination and report to the Parliament. (KNN)
Loading...
