BP Singh

44 V.K. Mathurbecause crop improvement programmes in almost every countryare dependent on ~xotic germE.!~sm. Cooperation on the followinglines would help in reducing the cost of quarantine operations asalso the pest/pathogen introductiqn risk to a considerable extent.1. Consortium of Plant Quarantine Stations: Under this conceptproposed ~~ K~~_.{t~?7) different quarantine stations wouldundertake the-processing of different materials (several accessionsof the same crop or a group of crops) at each station and then sharethe material. This would avoid duplication of efforts, reduce costof processing and more material would be available with adequatequarantine safeguards. In the same way, scientific information likedetection techniques, treatments, distribution of pests/pathogensand antisera for serological diagnosis of viruses and bacteria couldbe shared by quarantine stations of different countries.2 .. Establishment of Central Seed Health Testing Laboratories:~;N~~g!!.cg:9J!2Z?') proposed establishing a few central seed healthtesting laboratories well equipped with required facilities andtrained personnel. These may be coordinated with regional genebanks or international c~ntres, but should be independent of theorganisation for whom they are working. Such an arrangementwould lower pest risk to a considerable extent and avoidduplication of efforts, thus reducing the costs of processing. Plantquarantine services of different countries will have faith in suchlaboratories and will accept their certification.3. Third Country/Intermediate Quarantine: Under this 'conceptthe material could be grown, tested/indexed for hazardous pestsand pathogens in a temperate country without much risk becauseeither the possible hosts of such pests are not present there or theenvironment is unfavourable for their establishment. Severalstations in France, USA, UK and Netherlands offer their facilitiesfor crops like cocao, rubber, banana, sugarcane, groundnut etc.4. Biogeographical Regions: The concept of biogeographicalregions proposed by: Ma!~ (19~~) is an example of regionalcooperation. The eight biogeographical regions proposed foreffective quarantine are separated by J;latural barriers like sea, highmountains and deserts, thus making pest/pathogen disseminationextremely difficult. Accordingly, all countries in each region musthave common quarantine regulations so that chances of entry of