TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: Government has decided to extend the relaxed norms for onion import till January 2021. The step has been taken to boost the domestic supply curve of onions. Also to keep a check on the retail prices. To facilitate import of onion, the government had on October 21 relaxed the conditions for fumigation and additional declaration on the Phytosanitary Certificate (PSC) under the Plant Quarantine Order (PQ), 2003 for import up to December 15, 2020.
In an official statement, the Agriculture Ministry has released the statement and said they have decided to extend the relaxation norms on imports till January 2021. The decision has been taken partaking to the increase in retail prices throughout the year.
Stating that the relaxation will be subject to certain conditions, the ministry said the consignments of imported onions, which arrive in Indian port without fumigation and such endorsement on the PSC, would be fumigated in India by the importer through an accredited treatment provider.
The consignments will be inspected by quarantine officials thoroughly. The consignments will be deported and rejected if not found in proper order which if subjected to smut or dry rots will happen.
In case of pests like stem and bulbs nematode or onion maggot being detected, these should be eliminated through fumigation and the consignment released without additional inspection fee, it added.
Source: The Economic Times
