The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), on August 31, 2026, issued the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Eighth Amendment) Order, 2026 under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914. The amendment modifies Schedule VI of the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003 and comes into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
The amendment adds an entry for Punica granatum (Pomegranate) – fruits for consumption originating from Uzbekistan. The phytosanitary certificate for such imports must declare that the consignments are free from Euzophera bigella (Quince moth), Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth), Pseudococcus comstocki (Comstock mealybug), and Botrytis cinerea (Grey mould disease).
The imported pomegranate consignments must additionally be free from plant debris, weed seeds and soil. The amendment therefore introduces specific phytosanitary certification and import-condition requirements for pomegranates imported from Uzbekistan and is relevant to importers and businesses handling such agricultural consignments.
[S.O. 4929(E)]
