KATHMANDU, JULY 8

The Plant Protection Act, 2022, authenticated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today has stipulated strict provisions to curb the import of infected plants or plant products.

"Anyone who imports plants, plant products, biological control agents, beneficial organisms or soil without obtaining the entry permit shall be punished with a fine up to Rs 50,000," the act says. Similarly, any person importing the infected plants or plant products to the country shall be slapped with a fine of up to Rs 100,000.

The act makes legal provisions for preventing the spread of pests while importing and exporting plants and plant products. The law envisages a nine-member Plant Quarantine Committee led by secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Livestock Development to provide advice and suggestions to the Government of Nepal on policies on the quarantine of plants or plant products.

Quarantine is a process of holding of any plants, plant products in the specified place by a plant inspector for the purpose of observing, testing, investigating, inspecting and examining whether such plants or plant products are healthy or not.

The functions, duties and powers of the committee to consult with the government for the formulation of a national policy on plant health and quarantine; review fees chargeable on the import, export, inspection and examination of plants or plant products; coordinate with private sector and governmental bodies involved in the import and export of plants and controlled pests; prepare a list of controlled pests; maintain a roster of plant quarantine experts; and approve standards on sanitation of plants or plant products.

As per the act, any person or organisation wishing to import plants, plant products, biological control agents, beneficial organisms or means of growing plants such as soil and moss shall obtain the entry permit. For the purpose of making inspection of plants, plant products, biological control agents and beneficial organisms, the ministry may designate an inspector.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 9, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.