Date:25/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/25/stories/2006112500990500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Call for coherent biosecurity strategy

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers M.S. Swaminathan has called for the development of a coherent biosecurity strategy for the country. Addressing a conference on biosecurity at the National Institute of Advanced Studies here on Friday, he said there was a need for a "convergence in the efforts of all departments and Ministries" to develop a coherent biosecurity strategy. "Education, regulation and social mobilisation are the three pillars necessary to formulate a biosecurity strategy," he said.

Prof. Swaminathan said it was impossible to completely insulate the country from all invasive species of pests. Considering that 70 per cent of the Indian population depended upon agriculture, forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry for its livelihood, the need for biosecurity had never been greater, especially now with the increases in the quantum of trade and with produce moving faster and farther than ever before.

The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources has said that many invasive pests, never known to India, have been introduced through the transport of grain, seed and plants, according to Prof. Swaminanthan.

The pests included the banana bract and streak viruses, vegetable and pea leaf miner, cotton leaf curl and the sunflower mildew.

While there are five sophisticated and modernised quarantine stations in India, "we still need to meet international standards in several areas," he has said. This included a standard for Pest Risk Analysis.