Minutes of the 244th EXIM Committee meeting for export and import of seeds and planting materials held under the Chairpersonship of Additional Secretary (VM), DAC&FW on 8th August, 2019 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

The list of participants is annexed.

Item No. 1 Action Taken Report for the 243rd EXIM Committee meeting for export and import of seeds and planting material held on 10th July, 2019. a) The minutes and recommendation letters in respect of 243rd EXIM Committee meeting have been issued to all concerned. Follow-up Actions b (i) Proposal for import of total 3,00,000 Nos. Oil Palm seed sprouts c.v. (DxP) Deli X la Me @ 75,000 Nos. from Thailand, DXP (Yangambi) @ 1,25,000 Nos. from Malaysia and Spring @ 1,00,000 Nos. from Costa-Rica by M/s. 3F Oil Pal Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., 6-3-569/2, 1st Floor, Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500 082, Telangana.

The above proposal was deferred in the 242nd meeting of the EXIM Committee for want of verification of satisfactory PEQ facilities available with the importer by DPPQ&S.

As the Department of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad has provided the report i.r.t. satisfactory PEQ facilities available with the importer, therefore, the EXIM Committee approved the import of total 3,00,000 Nos. Oil Palm seed sprouts c.v. (DxP) Deli X la Me @ 75,000 Nos. from Thailand, DXP (Yangambi) @ 1,25,000 Nos. from Malaysia and Spring @ 1,00,000 Nos. from Costa-Rica by M/s. 3F Oil Pal Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., 6-3-569/2, 1st Floor, Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500 082, Telangana.

Above permission will be valid for six months only and also subject to strict compliance of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein. (ii) Proposal for import of total 5,000 Nos. Apple Rootstock (c.v. Malus Gala ‘fenplus’ (cov) Rootstock Malus M9 @ 1,000 Nos., Malus Granny Smith Rootstock M9 and Malus Red Del. Rootstock Malus M9 @ 2,000 Nos. each) from Italy by Sanjay Mehta, S5/11, DLF City Phase 3, Nathupur, Farrukhnagar, Gurgaon- 122992 (Haryana). The above proposal was deferred in the 239th meeting of the EXIM Committee for want of verification report i.r.t. satisfactory PEQ facilities available with the importer by DPPQ&S.

As the Department of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Faridabad has provided the report that the importer is having satisfactory PEQ facilities therefore, the EXIM Committee approved the import of total 5,000 Nos. Apple Rootstock c.v. Malus Gala ‘fenplus’ (cov) Rootstock Malus M9 @ 1,000 Nos., Malus Granny Smith Rootstock M9 and Malus Red Del. Rootstock Malus M9 @ 2,000 Nos. each from Italy by Sanjay Mehta, S5/11, DLF City Phase 3, Nathupur, Farrukhnagar, Gurgaon-122992 (Haryana).

Above permission will be valid for six months only and also subject to strict compliance of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein. (iii) Proposal for export of total 6,000 kg Onion seeds c.v. Shwe La won 406 @ 5,000 kg and Padamya Htake Mauk @ 1,000 kg to East West Seed (Myanmar) Co. Ltd., Myanmar by M/s. East West Seeds India Pvt. Ltd., Gut No. 66, Village Narayanpur (BK), Taluka Gangapur, Aurangabad-431133. The above proposal was deferred in the 242nd meeting of the EXIM Committee for want of seed production details and minimum seed certification standards of the varieties of onion seeds proposed to be exported.

As the firm has provided the requisite information i.r.t. seed production and minimum seeds standards of the varieties of onion seed proposed to be exported, the EXIM Committee approved the export of total 6,000 kg Onion seeds c.v. Shwe La won 406 @ 5,000 kg and Padamya Htake Mauk @ 1,000 kg to East West Seed (Myanmar) Co. Ltd., Myanmar by M/s. East West Seeds India Pvt. Ltd., Gut No. 66, Village Narayanpur (BK), Taluka Gangapur, Aurangabad-431133. (iv) Proposal for import of total 2,000 kg Pop Corn seeds c.v. AP2202 and AP6005 @ 1,000 kg each from USA by M/s. Sabar Agro Seeds, 1, Rajput Samaj Bhavan, Station Road, Himmatnagar-383001, Distt. S.K. Gujarat. In view of comments of ICAR that above cultivars/lines/ are not tested in AICRP trials hence, in 242nd meeting of the EXIM Committee approved the import of only 20 kg seeds (i.e. 10 kg of each cultivar for ICAR for multi-location trials and 10 kg of each cultivar to the importer for in-house trials) of Pop Corn seeds as per New Policy on Seed development, 1988 (against the proposed quantity of 2,000 kg by the firm.

The firm vide letter dated 6.7.2019 informed that they had already made trials for above varieties in accordance to the permission granted in February, 2015. The firm mentioned that they have already attached the Annual Progress Report of ICAR along with the application, which may be looked into and accordingly, the permission may be granted for import of total 2,000 kg Pop Corn seeds c.v. AP2202 and AP6005 @ 1,000 kg each from USA. The above issue was discussed in the meeting of EXIM Committee and considering that the firm was required to apply import of proposed seeds in the bulk quantity within the period of two years after receipt of the performance report from ICAR in 2016. The EXIM Committee observed that time span of the validity period of two years from submission of the report by ICAR is already over therefore; the EXIM Committee did not accept the request of the firm for import of bulk quantity of the proposed seeds.

(v) Export of 4,000 kg onion seeds c.v. Dark Red and Light Red @ 2,000 kg each to Bangladesh by M/s. Nath Biogenes India) Ltd., Nath House, Nath Road, Aurangabad-431 005. – reg. FTDO (Export Cell), DGFT vide e-mail dated 26.7.2019 informed that M/s. Nath Biogenes India) Ltd., Aurangabad has applied for Export of 4,000 kg onion seeds c.v. Dark Red and Light Red @ 2,000 kg each to Bangladesh, the DAC&FW permission attached application was issued in September, 2018 and the applicant has filed the application in DGFT on 18.5.2019, hence they sought clarification that whether DGFT can issue export licence on the basis of same NOC dated September, 2018 or DAC&FW will issue fresh NOC for above mentioned application.

The above issue was discussed in the meeting and EXIM Committee agreed that DGFT can issue the export license on the basis of same NOC dated September, 2018.

New proposals for export and import of Seeds and Planting materials Item No.2 Proposal for export of 50 kg Onion seeds c.v. Bombay Red to Widyan AL Batina, Oman by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.3 Proposal for export of total 24,000 kg Onion seeds c.v. Nasik Red and Bombay Red @ 8,000 kg each, Red Creole and Red King @ 4,000 kg each to Pakistan by M/s. Jindal Crop Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Jindal House, Bus Stand Road, Jalna-431 203.

Based on the affirmative comments of the all concerned divisions and details of seed production and minimum seed standards of the varieties proposed to be exported provided by the firm, the EXIM Committee approved the export of onion seeds as proposed at item No.3.

As the firm, at item No. 2 has not provided the details of seed production and minimum seed standards the varieties proposed to be exported hence the committee approved the export subject to submission of requisite information by importer.

Item No.4 Proposal for export of total 500 kg Rice (Paddy) Hybrid seeds c.v. VNR 9570, 15233, 15126, 15144 and 12686 @ 100 kg each to Philippines by M/s. VNR Seeds Pvt. Ltd.,Village-Gomachi, P.O. Tendua, Near Nandanvan, Tehsil Raipur, Chhattisgarh- 492001. Item No.5 Proposal for export of 600 MT Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. ACI-6 (RXML-01) to Bangladesh by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.6 Proposal for export of 15 MT Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. Hybrid Paddy Seeds –BRAC14 (RXML-22) to Bangladesh by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.7 Proposal for export of 200 MT Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. MAHYCO-1 (RXEL-27) to Bangladesh by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.8 Proposal for export of 30 MT Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. MAHYCO-2 (RXEL-20) to Bangladesh by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.9 Proposal for export of total 10 kg Pioneer Brand Hybrid Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. 27P22, 27P37, 27P53, 27P67 and 27P35@ 2 kg each to Cambodia by M/s. PHI Seeds Private Ltd., 12th Floor, Atria Block, The V-Ascendas, Plot No. 17, Software Unit Layout, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081, Telangana. Item No.10 Proposal for export of 100 kg Pioneer Brand Hybrid Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. 27P37 to Bangladesh by M/s. PHI Seeds Private Ltd., 12th Floor, Atria Block, The V - Ascendas, Plot No. 17, Software Unit Layout, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081, Telangana. Item No.11 Proposal for export of 2,00,000 kg Pioneer Brand Hybrid Rice (Paddy) seeds c.v. 27P53 to Philippines by M/s. PHI Seeds Private Ltd., 12th Floor, Atria Block, The V - Ascendas, Plot No. 17, Software Unit Layout, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500081, Telangana. Based on the comments of the concerned divisions, further discussion in the meeting and affidavit provided by the respective firms the Committee approved the export of above quantities of Rice (Paddy) hybrid seeds as proposed by the exporters against each of the proposal (Item Nos. 4-11).

Item No.12 Proposal for export of total 40 kg Cotton Seeds c.v. JKCH 1947 Bt and JKCH 1050 Bt @ 20 kg each to Bangladesh by M/s. JK Agri Genetics Limited, 1-10-177, 4th Floor, Varun Towers, Begumpet, Hyderabad – 500016, Telangana. Item No.13 Proposal for export of total 40 kg Bt. Cotton Hybrid Seeds c.v. MAHYCO C 567 BG II, MAHYCO C 569 BG II, MAHYCO C 570 BG II and MAHYCO C 571 BG II @ 10 kg each to Quton (Malawi) Ltd., Malawi by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Item No.14 Proposal for export of total 40 kg Bt. Cotton Hybrid Seeds c.v. MAHYCO C 567 BG II, MAHYCO C 569 BG II, MAHYCO C 570 BG II and MAHYCO C 571 BG II @ 10 kg each to Mahyco Kenya Pvt. Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya by M/s. Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt. Ltd., 4E/15, Ashok Centre, 3rd Floor, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi. Based on the comments of the concerned divisions, further discussion in the meeting and affidavit provided by the respective firms, the Committee approved the export of above quantities of Bt. Cotton Hybrid seeds as proposed by the exporters against each of the proposal (Item no.12-14).

Item No.15 Proposal for import of total 1 kg Cauliflower Hybrid seeds c.v. CA65 and CA85 @ 500 gm each from China by M/s. Kumar Bioseeds and Agro Products LLP, 1st Floor, Kumar Office, 2413 East Street, Camp, Pune-411001 (MS). Based on the comments of concerned divisions including ICAR and further discussion over the proposal, the EXIM Committee deferred the import of 1 kg Cauliflower Hybrid seeds c.v. CA65 and CA85 @ 500 gm each from China by M/s. Kumar Bioseeds and Agro Products LLP, Pune (MS) for want of clarification i.r.o. purpose of import, if better varieties of cauliflowers are available in India. Item No.16 Proposal for import of total 45 kg Maize (Zea mays) c.v. Hybrid: Field Corn WS 407, Hybrid: Field Corn WS 411 @ 20 kg each and Hybrid: Sweet Corn WS 202 @ 5 kg from Thailand by M/s. Eagle Seeds And Biotech Ltd., 117, Silver Sanchora Castle, 7 R.N.T. Marg- Indore (MP). Based on the comments of various divisions including ICAR and further discussion over the proposals in the meeting, the EXIM Committee approved the import of total 45 kg Maize (Zea mays) c.v. Hybrid: Field Corn WS 407, Hybrid: Field Corn WS 411 @ 20 kg each (i.e. 10 kg for ICAR for multi-location trials and 10 kg for the importer for agronomic trials) and Hybrid: Sweet Corn WS 202 @ 5 kg from Thailand by M/s. Eagle Seeds And Biotech Ltd., Indore (MP) as per New Policy on Seed development, 1988.

Above permission will be valid for six months only and also subject to strict compliance of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein. Item No.17 Proposal for import of 13,200 Nos. True Potato Seeds c.v. B548 @ 1200 seeds, B549 and B800 @ 6000 seeds each from The Netherlands by M/s. Sungro Seeds Pvt. Ltd., 19, Raj Mahal, 84, Veer Nariman Road., Mumbai-400 020. Based on the comments of concerned divisions including ICAR and further discussion in the meeting, the EXIM Committee deferred the proposal for want of justification/reasons for the import. Moreover, the EXIM committee observed that the TPS are available with ICAR-CPRI, Shimla and firm may procure it from ICAR, if indented on time for suitable types.

Item No.18 Proposal for import of 2,45,000 Nos. Oil Palm seed sprouts c.v. Tenera from Thailand, Costa Rica, France and Malaysia for Oil Palm area expansion by M/s. Godrej Agrovet Limited, Palm Oil Mill, Ch. Pothepalli-534451, Dwaraka Tirumala Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. In view of the comments of various divisions and satisfactory PEQ verification report provided by DPPQS, the Committee approved the import of 2,45,000 Nos. Oil Palm seed sprouts c.v. Tenera from Thailand, Costa Rica, France and Malaysia for Oil Palm area expansion by M/s. Godrej Agrovet Limited, Dwaraka Tirumala Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.

Above permission will be valid for six months only and also subject to strict compliance of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein. Item No.19 Proposal for import of total 9,500 Nos. Tissue Culture raised hardened Date Palm Plants (Phoenix Dactylifera) c.v. Barhee and Kheneizy from UAE/Iran/France by M/s. Kutch Agrotech Private Limited, Revenue Survey No.96/1, Plot No.11-12/D, Swaminarayan Nagar, Navavas, Madhapar, Bhuj (Kutch) 370 020. In view of the comments of various divisions and satisfactory PEQ verification report provided by DPPQS, the Committee approved the import of 9,500 Nos. Tissue Culture raised hardened Date Palm Plants (Phoenix Dactylifera) c.v. Barhee and Kheneizy from UAE/Iran/France by M/s. Kutch Agrotech Private Limited, Bhuj (Kutch) . Above permission will be valid for six months only and also subject to strict compliance of Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into India) Order, 2003 and amendments made therein. Item No.20 Proposal for import of 110 MT Berseem Clover seeds c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Taneja Hybrid Seeds Pvt. Ltd., C-3, Indra Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi- 110007. Item No.21 Proposal for import of 110 MT Berseem Clover seeds c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Ambika Seeds, 3, Indra Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi-110007. Item No.22 Proposal for import of 110 MT Berseem Clover seeds c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Taneja Seeds Corporation, Shop No. 3, Indra Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi- 110007. Item No.23 Proposal for import of 500 MT Egyptian clover seeds (Berseem) c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Prem Beej Company, 43, Indra Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi- 110007. Item No.24 Proposal for import of 1144 MT Clover seeds (Berseem) c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Premier Seeds Corporation, Shop No.133, Indira Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi-110007. Item No.25 Proposal for import of 440 MT Egyptian Clover Berseem seeds c.v. Mescavi from Egypt by M/s. Ajanta Seeds Corporation, 127, Indra Market, Old Subzi Mandi, Delhi- 110007. In view of the comments of concerned divisions and further discussion over the proposals the EXIM Committee observed that permission for import of Berseem seed to above firms has already been granted during 242nd meeting.

Accordingly, the EXIM Committee deferred the proposals for want of details of seed imported against the permission and domestic seed production plan of the importers to cope up the demand by domestic seed production rather through unregulated import.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair. Annexure-I

Participants of the 244th EXIM Committee meeting for export and import of seeds and planting materials held on 8th August, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary (VM), DAC&FW.

1. Ms. Vasudha Mishra, Additional Secretary (VM), DAC&FW, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi – Chairperson 2. Sri Ashwani Kumar, Joint Secretary (Seeds), DAC & FW, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. 3. Dr. P. R. Choudhary, Principal Scientist (Seeds), ICAR, New Delhi. 4. Dr. Manish Das, Principal Scientist, Horticulture Science Division, ICAR, KAB-II, Pusa, New Delhi-110012. 5. Dr. S.C. Dubey, Head, Plant Quarantine, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. 6. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner (Horticulture), DAC&FW, Krisahi Bhawan, New Delhi. 7. Dr. Ram Sanehi, Asstt. Commissioner (Crops), DAC&FW, New Delhi. 8. Dr. Dharmendra, Asstt Director (PP), Directorate of PPQ&S, Faridabad. 9. Dr. M.P. Yadav, Asstt. Director (Seeds), DAC&FW, New Delhi.

10. Dr. Dilip Kr. Srivastava, Asstt. Commissioner (QC), DAC&FW, New Delhi.