The Plant Quarantine Station, Cochin situated on the southwest coast of India. The station was established in the year 1955 as Plant Quarantine & Fumigation Station under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Faridabad, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. Plant quarantine regulations are enforced through the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import in to India) Order, 2003 which derived legal sanctity from ‘Destructive Insects & Pests Act, 1914 (Act2 of 1914) in India. The purpose and intent of this Act is to (i) Prevent the introduction of any exotic pests and diseases which could be pernicious to Indian flora and fauna. (ii) Inspection of plants and plant material meant for export as per the requirements of importing countries under International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 1951 of FAO to facilitate pest free trade. (iii) To undertake quarantine inspection and laboratory testing of plants and plant material to ensure freedom from exotic pests. (iv) Detection of exotic pests and diseases for their containment by adopting domestic Quarantine regulations, if introduced. (v) To undertake phytosanitary certification (for issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates (PSCs); to undertake fumigation/ disinfestations/ disinfections of commodities to control Infestation/infection. (vi) To facilitate safe global trade in agriculture by assisting the producers and exporters by providing a technically competent and reliable phytosanitary certificate system to meet there requirements of trading partners.
PQS Cochin is functioning under the administrative control of RPQS, Bengaluru with two working units, main office situated at Willingdon Island and airport unit functioning at Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery(2010). The major commodities which imported through this station from various countries are raw & processed cashew, fresh fruits(Apple and Orange), Spices & condiments(Black pepper, Turmeric, Dry Ginger, Cassia, Cinnamon and Coriander) and Timber & Furniture(Mora wood, Pyinkado logs, Merbau logs and Spruce wood with/without bark).
During the period 2022-2023 this station has inspected and issued Phytosanitary Certificates for 389138.09 MTS and 1188098 Nos of live plants. of various agriculture commodities meant for consumption/propagation purpose respectively for the 80-85 countries in the world and out of which 63% contributing towards only Middle East countries (by Sea/Air). The major commodities for export includes, Cashew kernel, Spices & Condiments(Black pepper, Chilli, Turmeric, Small cardamom, Dry ginger and Nutmeg/mace); Narcotics(Tea & Coffee); Cereals and Cereal Products(Rice and other food items); Oilseeds and extracts(De- husked coconut, Coconut powder, Copra kernel and Soya chunks); Fibres(Coconut fibre, Coco Pith, Coco peat); Seeds for propagation(Mucuna, Pueraria, Calopo); Live plants(Agapanthus, Canna, Delphinium, Gerbera, Limonium and Lilly); Fresh fruits and vegetables(Banana, Mango, Drumstick, Elephant Yam, Ginger, Okra, Onion, Snake gourd, Pineapple, Papaya, Watermelon, Frozen Cassava and other Assorted vegetables); cut flowers(Jasmine and Rose). There are three well established pack house facilities for the export of vegetables/fruits/flowers for European Union and one mango hot water treatment facilities are operating under the limits of PQS, Cochin which was well connected to Cochin International Airport. Methodical monitoring and supervision at International passenger’s arrival area with close coordination with the customs authorities.
This station is encompasses with well qualified and dedicated staffs strength to carry out the inspections, sampling and laboratory tests in import/ export consignments and other planting materials(Live plants and cover crop seeds) meant for propagation and consumption. The import inspections are carried out majorly in the designated CFS’s. Whereas, export inspections are carried out in the all CFS’s, exporter/CHA godowns, rice mills, spice industries and pack-houses at Cochin. Post Entry Quarantine inspections are carried out as per the SOP along with the Designated Inspection Authority in the approved PEQ facilities. Orchids like Dendrobium, Mokara, Oncidium, Vanda, Cymbidium, Spathoglottis and their hybrids are most commonly imported plant species under the PQS, Cochin limit
