Regulatory Methods of Pest Control

Regulatory pest control involves legal and legislative measures to prevent the introduction, spread, and establishment of harmful pests. These methods are essential for biosecurity, agricultural sustainability, and trade protection.

Types of Regulatory Pest Control Methods

1. Plant Quarantine

Definition: Plant quarantine is the legal enforcement of measures to restrict pest movement through plant material. It helps prevent the introduction of exotic pests.

Types of Quarantine

1. Foreign Quarantine:
   • Prevents the entry of invasive pests from other countries.
   • Implemented at seaports, airports, and land borders.
   • Example: Banning the import of citrus plants from regions affected by Citrus Canker.
2. Domestic Quarantine:
   • Restricts the movement of plant material within the country to control pest spread.
   • Example: Mango Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) quarantine to prevent pest spread across states.

Key Quarantine Laws in India

• Destructive Insect and Pests Act (1914): Prevents the introduction of harmful insects, fungi, and weeds into India.
• Madras Agricultural Pests and Diseases Act (1919): The first state-level pest control law in India.
• Plant Quarantine Order (2003): Strengthens quarantine regulations under WTO-SPS agreements.

Institutions Involved in Quarantine in India

• Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS) – Faridabad.
• National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) – New Delhi (Handles transgenic material).
• Forest Research Institute (FRI) – Dehradun (For forest plants).
• Botanical Survey of India (BSI) – Kolkata (For ornamental plants).

2) Legislation for Pest Control

Regulatory pest control is enforced through laws and acts that prevent pest outbreaks.

1. Insecticide Act (1968): Regulates the manufacture, sale, and use of insecticides in India.
2. Environment Protection Act (1986): Includes provisions to control pest-related environmental hazards.
3. Agricultural Pests and Diseases Acts (State-level laws): Allow states to regulate local pest outbreaks.

C) Border and Port Inspection

• Customs and agricultural officers inspect plant products at airports, seaports, and land borders.
• Phytosanitary certificates are required for international plant shipments.
• Fumigation, irradiation, and heat treatment ensure pest-free imports.

D) Eradication and Containment Programs

• Immediate destruction of infected plants to prevent pest spread.
• Biological control releases (e.g., releasing parasitoids for pest suppression).
• Chemical control in restricted zones to prevent outbreak expansion.
• Example: Eradication of Papaya Mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) in India through parasitoid release.

E) International Collaboration and Agreements

• World Trade Organization – Sanitary and Phytosanitary (WTO-SPS) Agreement: Ensures safe trade of agricultural products.
• International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC): Promotes global quarantine standards.
• Asia-Pacific Plant Protection Commission (APPPC): Regional cooperation for pest control.

Importance of Regulatory Pest Control

✔ Prevents economic losses in agriculture due to exotic pests.
✔ Reduces pesticide use and promotes eco-friendly pest control.
✔ Ensures food security by protecting crops.
✔ Facilitates safe trade by maintaining quarantine standards.
✔ Protects biodiversity from invasive species.