Seed Terrorism
- August 4, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
Subject: Science and Tech
Context:
The National Seed Association of India (NSAI) has asked the Centre to put its agencies on high alert against Chinese seeds penetrating into Indian fields. It has suggested the government to have in place adequate plans to deal with the ‘seed terrorism’.
What has happened?
Mysterious seed packets, often labelled with a misleading description were received in mails in India, Japan, Canada, the United States of America and United Kingdom over the past week. These packets have arrived from China and have raised a “seed terrorism” alarm.International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) has warned countries about the threat of such seed contamination. NSAI has issued an alert on the basis of an International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) warning on the entry of suspicious seeds in the Indian market.
What can be the adverse effects?
- It can adversely affect India’s biodiversity.
- Emergence of new invasive speeds and weeds
- It can threated the food security of India.
Why is china sending these seeds?
- These are seeds of an invasive species and it is an attempt by China to introduce pathogens or disease.
- US authorities claim that these packets are a part of China’s brushing scam.
- China has much-advanced biotechnology and has the capacity to destroy Indian food production.
- It is alleged that China is trying to use these spurious seeds as bio weapon.
What can be done?
- The Custom department has been put on alert and has been asked to confiscate illegal seeds coming from China or other countries.
- It wants courier companies and those receiving seed packets even when they have not ordered for it, to report it to the police and other government agencies.