New Delhi, India
May 5, 2008
Source:
Government of India
Under the New Policy on Seed
Development read with Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import
into India) Order, 2003, the Government is facilitating the
import of quality seeds and planting materials into the country
with a view to improve productivity.
The Government has put in place an observation system for the
evaluation of quality of such seeds. Initially, a small quantity
of seed is permitted to be imported for in-house trials by the
importer. Subsequently, multi-locational testing is carried out
under the All India Coordinated Trials by the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) before large scale import is
permitted. If the performance of the variety is found to be
satisfactory in the multi-locational trials, the importer can
import the seeds in bulk for a period of two years only. During
this period, the importer must make arrangements for commercial
multiplication in India through transfer of parental lines or
breeder seed and seed production technology.
In respect of planting material, permission is granted on a
case-to-case basis on the recommendation of the State Director
of Horticulture/Agriculture, subject to post entry quarantine
and such regulations as may be laid down by the Plant Protection
Adviser, Government of India. In case of vegetable seed, free
import is permitted subject to quarantine regulations.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Kanti
Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture in a written
reply. |
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