India takes strict measures to import pest-free blueberries from Poland

MUMBAI: As blueberries have become the next “super fruit” among health-conscious Indians, the government has made it mandatory that the antioxidant-rich fruit imported from Poland be sourced from orchards registered with that country’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), the order issued by the Union agriculture ministry said. Additionally, the phytosanitary certificates for these blueberries must include a declaration confirming that they are free from Acalytus vaccinii (blueberry bud mite pest) and Pseudomonas viridiflava (blossom blight disease), according to the order, which was studied by Mint. These measures have been taken to ensure that imported blueberries are safe and free from pests and diseases that may pose a threat to local crops. In this case, Poland’s NPPO is responsible for ensuring that exported blueberries meet the required phytosanitary standards before being shipped to India, including being free from pests such as Acalitus vaccinii and diseases such as Pseudomonas viridiflava. The NPPO is a country-level body that works to prevent the spread of pests and protect agriculture. India is a signatory to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In India, the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage, under the Union Ministry of Agriculture, is the national plant protection organization.