EU bans imports of Alphonso mangoes: Is India's biosecurity mechanism rigorous enough?
Distilled Policy Brief
- The EU has banned imports of Alphonso mangoes and four Indian vegetables citing harmful pests and lack of pre‑export certification, with the ban effective from 1 May 2014 to December 2015.
- India’s biosecurity framework currently relies on the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914 and the Livestock Importation Act, 1898, administered by the Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and APEDA, but experts consider it piecemeal and inadequate.
- The pending Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, 2013 proposes a dedicated Agricultural Biosecurity Authority of India (ABAI) with powers to issue sanitary/phytosanitary certificates and imposes up to two‑year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2 lakh for non‑compliance.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
EU ban highlights the need for phytosanitary certification and compliance with international plant protection conventions.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
An integrated agricultural biosecurity law is essential to safeguard export earnings, public health and farmer livelihoods.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
Under the Agricultural Biosecurity Bill, 2013, which of the following penalties is prescribed for non‑compliance?
- [A] Imprisonment up to 6 months and fine of Rs 50,000
- [B] Imprisonment up to 1 year and fine of Rs 1 lakh
- [C] Imprisonment up to 2 years and fine of Rs 2 lakh
- [D] Imprisonment up to 5 years and fine of Rs 5 lakh
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
The Bill provides for a maximum imprisonment of two years and a fine of Rs 2 lakh for non‑compliance. The other options exceed or fall short of the penalties specified in the Bill.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.