SOP for Post Entry Quarantine Inspection - Plant quarantine India

SOPs for Postentry Quarantine InspectionSection-7. Laboratory Testing Page 1 of 4December 20077.1. Laboratory testing by Inspection Authority:7.1.1. The samples on receipt will be tested by concerned laboratory expert according to internationallyestablished or validated diagnostic protocols, where appropriate. If the test results are proved tobe positive for the quarantine pests specified under PQ order, 2003, the same may be brought tothe immediate notice of inspection authority.7.1.2. At the end of laboratory testing the concerned expert will report the test results in prescribedformat (Annexure-7A) to the inspection authority7.1.3. The inspection authority on receipt of test report may verify the test results and the test protocolsadopted and pest identifications and enter in the inspection/testing register or order, if necessary,the repetition of test results to confirm the findings.7.1.4. I f any new organism is intercepted, the identification of the same may got authenticated by anational referral laboratory and its pest status may be evaluated before reporting the same to Dteof PPQS (NPPO)7.1.5. The inspection authority will adopt sero-diagnostic protocols such as ELISA/DIBA andmolecular diagnostic protocols such as RT-PCR and NASH for characterization of virus andbacteria.7.1.6. It should be ensured that a portion of the sample tested for virus infection will be preserved indeep freezer at -80 C as reference sample with appropriate labeling giving reference number fortracing back the sample to consignment imported.7.1.7. The concerned expert will exercise appropriate quarantine precautions to avoid contamination,while handling of virus-affected material, preparation of samples and carrying test and disposalof unutilized portion of sample.7.1.8. If any inoculations of indicator plants required to be performed by the inspection authority toestablish biological identity or indexing, the tests should be strictly confined to vector-proofquarantine glass house/screen house/polyhouse facility under isolated and secured condition toprevent any escape or spread of virus and inoculated hosts should be immediately be destroyedby incineration after recording the test results and taking photographs including electronmicrographs, if any.