Apples imported from America are suspected of carrying close to 100 varieties of pests, an issue which is being looked into by the authorities here. Commonwealth Agriculture Bureau International (CABI), a UK-based organisation, has listed 184 pests occurring on apples grown in the US. Of the 184 pests, 94 pests may require phytosanitary measures, which are aimed at protecting against risks linked to food safety if the apples are to be imported to India, says a CABI report. Worldwide, 381 pests are reported to be found in apples. Out of these, only 111 pests are found in India.
"The observation of CABI could be correct. Unless we take appropriate steps to safeguard India’s quarantine interest in line with the International Plant Protection Convention, new pests and diseases will continue to enter the country," Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Director S. Dave said. "There is a need for improving our quarantine programmes," he added.
However, the officials in the ministry of agriculture responsible for quarantine of fruits were oblivious of such a report. Joint secretary, agriculture, W.R. Reddy said, "We will exa-mine the matter. It is for the first time that such an allegation on apples imported from US has been brought to our notice."
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