The Central Government, through a notification on November 6, 2025, has issued the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (Eleventh Amendment) Order, 2025. This order amends Schedule VI of the principal 2003 Order by adding new entries for imports originating from Bhutan.
New Import Entries
The amendment introduces two new entries to Schedule VI, which lists plant materials permitted for import along with their specific quarantine requirements:
- Pyrus communis (Pear): New entries are inserted against Serial Number 262(iii) to allow the import of Seeds and saplings for human consumption and processing from Bhutan.
- Panicum miliaceum (Millet): A new entry (Serial Number 793) is inserted to allow the import of Seeds for consumption and processing from Bhutan.
Mandatory Special Conditions
For both Pear and Millet, the import is subject to the following Special Conditions of Import to prevent the entry of harmful contaminants:
- The imported material must be Free from soil, quarantine weed seeds and other plant debris.
Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements
Significantly, the column for “Additional declarations required to be incorporated into Phytosanitary Certificate” for both new entries currently specifies NIL. This means that beyond the standard requirements of the Phytosanitary Certificate (PC), no specific extra declaration about pest freedom or treatment is immediately mandated for these products from Bhutan under this order.
This amendment is expected to ease trade relations with Bhutan for these specific agricultural commodities, particularly for seeds and processing material, while the necessary quarantine safeguards are maintained.