BP Singh

New Policy on Seed Development and Role of DIAs 121 ,for the import of such seeds on commercial basis to the DAC. DACmay within 30 days of the receipt of the application, reject theapplication or recommend it to the CCI&E for grant of an ImportLicence to the importer.Agencies eligible to importThe agencies as mentioned below are eligible to import theseeds/planting material:a) Department of Agriculture/Horticulture of the StateGovernments, State Agricultural Universities and reARb) Seed producing Indian companies/firms, afterregistration with the National Seeds Corporationc) National Seeds Corporation and State Seeds Corporationd) Food processing industrial unitse) Growers of vegetables/flow~rs registered with theDirector of Agriculture/Horticulture of the State, Governments.Samples to NBPGR Gene BankAll the importers are required to make available certainquantity of specified seeds / germplasm/ parental lines as per listenclosed (Annexure-' A') to NBPGR for testing / accessioning to theGene B::mk.Strengthening of Plant Quarantine facilitiesIn the past :various exotic pests and pathogens have enteredinto the country through the seeds/planting materials. Many ofthese pests have since become widespread, therefore, it isimperative that while importing seeds/planting materials, PlantQuarantine regulations are adhered strictly.Import of seeds/planting materialsThere are 26 Plant Quarantine and Fumigation Stations.(PQ & FS) located at 10 International Airports, 9 Seaports and 7Land Frontiers. But for sake of this policy, the im:ports of seeds/planting materials are allowed at present only through PlantQuarantine and Fumigation' Stations, at Amritsar, Bombay,Calcutta, Madras and New Delhi. Consequently, the PlantQuarantine facilities at thes~ 5 places are being strengthened/modernised.