Date issued: 20 December 2006
India’s official relaxation order, dated 3 July 2006 that gave effect to tolerances for certain regulated quarantine pests and contaminants is due to cease after 31 December 2006.
The effect of cessation means that all wheat presented for export certification that may arrive in India after 31 December 2006 must comply with the existing Indian legislation as reflected in Schedule VI, unless specific tolerances are provided on the import permit. This legislation currently provides the following condition:
310 Triticum spp. (Wheat) - Grains for consumption or processing - Any Country
Free from:
(a) Granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius)
(b) Ergot (Claviceps purpurea)
(c) Dwarf bunt (Tilletia contraversa)
Fumigation with Methyl bromide @ 32 g/cu. m at 21oC and above for 24 hrs under NAP and the treatment shall be endorsed on phytosanitary certificate or by any other fumigant/substance in the manner approved by the Plant Protection Adviser to the Government of India for this purpose.
Exporters, packers, bulk handlers and agents involved in the export of wheat to India should be aware that imports permits only referring to the ‘relaxation order’ will cease to provide those tolerances of the relaxation order for shipments arriving in India after 31 December 2006.
For those import permits that specifically state each of the applicable pest/contaminant tolerances, as were previously provided under the relaxation order, certification may continue to be provided in accordance with the conditions as stated on the import permit, for the validity of the permit.
Mike Gilbert
Manager
Grain and Plant Products Export Program
Contact officer:
Dave Ryan
Telephone: 02 6272 4976
Facsimile: 02 6272 3745