Deadly virus in plants coming from abroad, crisis on horticulture industry

The horticulture industry in Himachal Pradesh is facing a serious crisis. Lakhs of apple plants are being brought from abroad without proper testing and quarantine processes, due to which deadly viruses and pests have spread in our orchards. BJP state spokesperson Chetan Singh Bragta said that the state government is not able to implement the quarantine rules properly, due to which various types of viruses have been identified so far, and many types of viruses have come in apple plants. This situation is very dangerous for the horticulture industry of Himachal. Bragta said that pests not seen in Himachal’s orchards earlier are now spreading rapidly, such as dog head borers and fruit flies, which are causing huge damage to apple plants. Plants are being imported by ignoring the laws! A year quarantine is necessary for plants coming from abroad under the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003. These plants are kept under the supervision of experts and scientists at the nursery site, where the infected plants should be destroyed after their thorough examination. But under the protection of the Congress government, infected plants are being sold openly without any quarantine process. There is a collusion of influential people sitting in the government! Chetan Singh Baragata alleged that some traders involved in the import of plants have colluded with influential people sitting in the government. This is the reason why infected plants are being sold openly, ignoring all the rules and laws. If this negligence continues, then the apple industry of Himachal can be ruined. He demanded immediate intervention from the Chief Minister in this matter and said that the sale of infected plants being brought illegally should be stopped immediately, and strict action should be taken against the culprits.