Plant quarantine implications of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement on the seed trade in Malaysia
2003
Mazlan Saadon | Ho Haw Leng | Atikah Abd. Kadir Jailani
Modern transportation and technology has shortened the movement of seeds in the international market, inadvertently increases the risk of trans-movement and introduction of pests. The introduction of exotic pest into a country can have a deleterious effect on its economy, particularly if infestation occurs on the economic commodity of the country. Hence, the role of plant quarantine is important in order to prevent the entry of exotic pests and diseases by regulating the import agriculture commodities Under the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 and Plant Quarantine Regulations 1981, an import permit is required for the importation of seeds into the country. Seed health issues are increasingly important in international seed trade. As a Member of World Trade Organization (WTO), Malaysia is obligated to fullfill the requirements of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement. The paper outlines the following: i) regulatory requirements for importation on various type of seeds into Malaysia, this includes restrictions and conditions for import, ii) some of the key elements in SPS Agreement such as the basic rights and obligations to take phytosanitary measures (PM), harmonization of PM, acceptance of equivalence, transparent in PM, risk assessment based on sciences and acceptance of pest free area, iii) effects if SPS Agreement on seed trade in Malaysia and iv) some implications of the SPS Agreement on Malaysian seed trade. Some of the pertinent constraints encountered by Department of Agriculture to implement SPS, Agreement are; inadequate information on plant health status, lack of resource and infrastructure in certain areas and the organizational need for more exposure and participation in international forum on SPS issues. To overcome the above affects, implications and constraints, currently efforts by Department of Agriculture are in progress towards the compliance with SPS measures such as, i) generating comprehensive pest data and plant health information, ii) improving strengthening and establishing R&D capacity as well as collaboration and support from R& D institutions and private industry to produce scientific output and iii) increase human resource development and upgrading plant quarantine infrastructure and facilities.
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