Shipment of insects and related arthropods into and out of India for research or commercial purposes

This paper provides a concise summary of the guidelines and regulations that govern the shipment of insects and related arthropods into and out of India. The Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, that regulates the import of agents for biological control, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and associated Biological Diversity Rules, 2004, that guide the transfer of insects and related arthropods for identification, taxonomic research, as well as commercial purposes, are discussed. Processing, packing and shipping procedures and protocols are described. Insect trade for some food and feed purposes is also mentioned. Finally, some implications, conclusions and recommendations are presented.


Introduction
The documented history of insect shipments to India dates back to the 18th century. These first arrivals were all related to the efforts of the East India Company to introduce the true cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus Costa) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) into India for the dye industry. Even though there was no real success in this endeavour, the narrative on the resolute attempts at establishing a lucrative cochineal trade makes interesting reading. Tryon (1) gives an account of these efforts, citing reports by East India Company official G.A. Prinsep from 1838/9 besides referring to the works of Whitelaw Ainslie (2) (4). India has come a long way since then, and robust regulations and guidelines are in place now for the shipment of insects and related arthropods into and out of India for research or commercial purposes.

Plant Quarantine Order Chapter II provides the general conditions for import as below
The primary concern addressed in the PQO is to prevent introduction of potentially harmful contaminant organisms along with colonies of potentially beneficial insects, so the order requires a taxonomic declaration and requires approved quarantine to ensure clean colonies. Advisor.
(5) Nothing contained in the clause shall apply to import of live insects and other arthropods/nematodes/microbial cultures including algae/biocontrol agents having no relevance in agriculture.

Quarantine facility for biocontrol agents
An exclusive quarantine facility of international standard is available at ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru, to handle imported arthropod and microbial biocontrol agents. The structure includes a quarantine area with HEPA

Shipment of insects for identification or taxonomic research
The

Application process
The application process for export involves submission of specific forms to obtain approval from NBA (7)  [Place Table I. here]

Designated Repositories for insects, mites and spiders
In order to ensure national biological resources are protected and differentiated from exotic species there must be a coordinated system of evidence that species are endemic within the country. ICAR-NBAIR

Implications, conclusions and recommendations
The procedures and protocols for importation of insects and related As far as live insect trade is concerned, the strict regulations should continue to be enforced to avoid illegal import of commercial insects which may carry pests and/or pathogens that may cause threats to the native insect biodiversity in India.
41_1_13_Sreerama Kumar -pre-print_FNL 16/18 Table I Application forms for specific activities related to the regulation of access to Biological Resources and/or Associated Knowledge Note: Online applications are enabled. The required fees for Forms I-IV can be paid online. There is no fee for Forms B and C.

Application form Purpose and particulars
Form I This is used by any non-Indian, non-resident Indian (NRI), foreign entity or Indian entity having non-Indian participation in share capital or management to access biological resources occurring in or obtained from India and/or associated traditional knowledge for research, commercial utilisation, biosurvey or bioutilisation. If the applicant is a trader, manufacturer or company, Form A should also be submitted along with Form I, as per regulation 2 of ABS Guidelines, 2014.

Form II
Any Indian or non-Indian or entity to any non-Indian, NRI, foreign entity or Indian entity having non-Indian participation in share capital or management can use this to transfer the results of research.

Form III
Any Indian, non-Indian or entity can use this to apply for intellectual property rights for inventions based on any research or information on a biological resource obtained from India.

Form IV
Any person who obtained approval of NBA in Form I, to Indians, non-Indians or entities can use this to transfer biological resources/ knowledge already accessed, to a third party.

Form B
Indian researchers or government institutions can use this to conduct non-commercial research or research for emergency purpose outside India as per regulation 13 of ABS Guidelines, 2014.
Form C Any Indian scientist or researcher can use this to deposit a microorganism in non-Indian repository for claim of novel species.