Import of frozen green peas - regarding - Customs - 02/2010

Circular No. 2/2010-Customs F. No. 450/14/2010-Cus.IV Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise Customs North Block, New Delhi Dated, 9th February, 2010 To All Chief Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.). All Chief Commissioners of Customs Central Excise. All Commissioners of Customs / Customs (Prev.). All Commissioners of Customs (Appeals). All Commissioners of Customs Central Excise. All Commissioners of Customs Central Excise (Appeals). Subject: Import of frozen green peas - regarding. *** Sir/ Madam, I am directed to invite your attention to the Board's Circular No. 39/2004-Customs dated 3.6.2004 and Instructions F.No.450/19/2005-Cus.IV 2nd April, 2009 regarding implementation of the provisions of Phytosanitary requirements under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. 2. Now, it has been brought to the notice of Board by the Ministry of Agriculture that import of agriculture commodities into India is permitted only after conducting Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) for the commodity and subsequent notification under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003. PRA involves detailed study and documentation after consulting various published scientific data/literature to identify pests associated with it, their morphology, behaviour, risk posed etc., thereby identifying pests of quarantine importance to India with prescription of suitable scientific risk mitigation measures. Further, the imported agricultural commodities are subjected to inspection before clearance to ensure freedom from pests and diseases. However, certain instances have come to the notice where consignments of frozen green peas imported from China were released by customs without referring these to the Plant Quarantine authorities. This is of serious concern in view of the risk posed to bio-security of the country as the frozen green peas may be infested with the nematode pest. 3. Accordingly, it is requested that all import consignments of frozen green peas should be referred to Plant Quarantine authorities for proper inspection, and clearance should be permitted only after necessary no objection certificate/phytosanitary clearance etc., has been given by the Plant Quarantine authorities. 4. Further, instructions contained in Board's Circular No. 39/2004-Customs dated 3.6.2004 and Instructions F.No.450/19/2005-Cus.IV 2nd April, 2009 are hereby reiterated. 5. These instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned by way of issuance of suitable Public Notice/Standing Order. 6. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of the Circular may be brought immediately to the notice of the Board. Yours sincerely, (Navraj Goyal) Under Secretary (Customs Policy)