Biosecurity and biosafety challenges and strategies in relation to plant protection

Plant protection is the science and practice applied for management of pests of agricultural crops and forestry. Plant protection measures are adapted to reduce losses in yield as well as further spread of pests. This branch of science aims at promoting ecofriendly integrated pest management for sustaining crop production. Use of modern approaches like artificial intelligence, drone and genome editing, early detection and diagnosis, prediction, and advisory to the frames are being appreciated. Various measures having variable economic, socio-economic and ecological impacts are being used against diseases, pests and weeds to keep them below the economic threshold. Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach of policy and regulatory frameworks to analyse and manage risks in the areas of food safety, animal and plant life and health, and environment. Agricultural biosecurity refers to the measures designed to prevent and mitigate the risks from transboundary and in-country movement of pests in crop plants and livestock, quarantine pests, invasive alien species and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Whereas, biosafety refers to the containment principles, technologies and practices executed to prevent inadvertent exposure to pathogens and toxins or their accidental release. The biosecurity and biosafety are linked to the advancements in science and aim at understanding the potential risks associated with handling biological materials, particularly those that could be injurious to humans, agriculture, or the environment. Biosecurity policies including quarantine play an important role in facilitating transboundary exchange of plants and their products by avoiding introduction of pests into new geographical areas. World Trade Organization (WTO) set up in 1995 aims at promoting trade by undertaking quarantine and influencing trade policies, while aim of CBD, the international legal instrument, is protection and conservation of biodiversity. Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources of Food and Agriculture are governed through respective national biosecurity regulations of the nations. India as member country needs to fulfil with the requirements of WTO and International Plant Protection Convention. The Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 implemented from April 1, 2004 to facilitate the import of commodities with additional declarations using pest risk analysis mentioning that they are free from quarantine pests. India has a regulatory framework on biosafety for various activities related to hazardous microorganisms/genetically engineered organisms or cells, as per Environmental Protection Act of 1986. India needs to have a synergy among different ministries/agencies to coordinate policy responses for any biological emergency. The establishment of National Biosecurity Authority/Board or other similar organization to coordinate various activities related to biosecurity in the country at appropriate manner is required. India needs support in respect of research, training, capacity-building, and sharing of information in networking mode at national as well as regional levels.