Shimla: Himachal Pradesh’s apple farmers have been facing several crises, including the import of infected apple trees from other nations. This has led to the spread of deadly viral diseases in several orchards of the state. The opposition leader blames the government for failing to enforce proper quarantine rules, which allows numerous dangerous viruses to take place in the apple farms. Currently, these pests are spreading at a rapid pace, damaging apple crops.
As per the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003, any imported plant must undergo a one-year quarantine under expert supervision. Infected plants need to be identified and removed at the earliest. However, the BJP has been blaming the Congress-led government for not giving any attention to these laws.
Therefore, the infected plants are being sold and supplied to farmers openly. The BJP leader Bragta further added that some traders who are involved in plant imports have collusion with influential people in the government.
This negligence on the part of the state government may ruin Himachal’s apple industry. Bragta asked that the Chief Minister take some strong steps and impose a ban on the sale of infected plants, and legal action should be taken against the guilty parties. If the situation remains the same, then apple growers of the state will have to face a lot of difficulties, putting the horticulture sector at risk.
