MUMBAI, Aug 25 (Commoditiescontrol): India has taken decisive steps to address its demand for lentils and to regulate domestic prices. The country has granted a one-time relaxation for the import of lentils from Russia up to 30th June 2024. This development comes after a thorough Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) identified three Quarantine pests, specifically two types of weeds and one nematode.
This move was initiated after India recognized the demand for lentils within its borders and received requests from Russia for imports. Draft Phytosanitary Import Requirements (PIR) were thus established. Initially, the relaxation for lentil imports was allowed up to March 2022. This was communicated to Russia through letters from the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) dated 03.09.2021 & 08.11.2021.
In response to the identified pests, Russia was prompted to provide mitigation measures. They agreed to the draft PIR and also submitted their proposed mitigation strategies on 09.02.2022. Having reviewed these measures, India put forth the PIR which included MBr fumigation for Russia's acceptance. Letters dated 02.03.22 & 03.06.2022 detail these exchanges.
While the relaxation for imports has been extended to June 2024, a formalization process of the PRA, draft publication, and gazette notification for the permanent inclusion of phytosanitary import requirements for Russian lentils in the PQ Order, 2003 is still to be concluded.
Moreover, given the urgency to stabilize domestic lentil demand and prices, India has incorporated an additional declaration. This dictates that any imported lentil consignment from Russia should be free from the identified quarantine pests. Additionally, the penalty fees, typically levied for non-fumigation at the country of origin, have been waived off up to 30th June 2024.
(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-9820130172)
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