Role and history of plant quarantine in India- A review

Abstract

Plant Quarantine Unit is to prevent the introduction of destructive plant pests, soil and diseases of plants from other countries. Plant Quarantine regulations are promulgated by the national and the state governments to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful pests and pathogens. Protection of the plant and plant products by quarantine however only become the governments at the turn of this century, following a series of catastrophic pest and diseases epidemics in different parts of the world. There is considerable cooperation between various countries, so that exporting country may furnish a certificate to the importing country which clears products or the importing country may maintain inspectors to examine the product before it leaves the country of its origin. The quarantine measures are of almost relevance to a country like India whose economy is largely Agriculture based.