Do we have bio-security?

Every year many foreign pests and disease causing germs enter our country bringing loss of plant and livestock species. Transgenic species pose risks.The losses caused by them are more than which missiles or bombs can cause. Weeds like ‘parthenium’ have entered India and are causing lung ailments among the people. Bird flu is causing diseases in poultry farms. We must take care of plant health, animal health and marine health. So a Bill has been introduced in our Lower House to provide for an Authority for prevention, control, eradication and management of diseases from outside India. The Bill tries to bring together plant protection animal health and marine resources (diseases in fishes) under agricultural bio-security. Parasites infesting imported birds and fishes kill our native species.Because of freedom to export and import and diversification of agriculture, new species have been brought to India. Native species which were disease resistant have been lost. Out break of diseases can endanger our nation.Genetically modified species bring their own kind of insecurity. Proper management of risks is needed  before introduction of foreign plants in India. Wheat rust is a disease that came from outside India.The loss of health of plant species leads to major agricultural losses. There is pest risk analysis done by our stationsWe need to watch for bio-terrorism.Someone may introduce a disease causing agent in our country affecting our entire population. If dangerous diseases are introduced here, we may have to face major disasters. We must safeguard ourselves from hidden dangers. In a lab, we must investigate plant and animal species brought from outside before allowing them to enter India.We have Directorate of plant protection quarantine and storage stations and animal quarantine stations. We have the duty to inform the government if any new organism has entered our country.We must try to control by post entry quarantine. Agricultural Bio-security Amendment Bill has been passed in lower house(LS)But implementation is the most important aspect of this law. If we are not taking care of this security now, our future is in danger.