Quarantine interception of carinoclytus beetles (Cerambycidae) on teak logs (Tectona grandis) imported from Benin

摘要

To prevent the exploitation of timber bearing areas and other forest areas by the growing market demand, Government of India has enacted Forest Conservation Act, 1980. However, the available natural resources are highly insufficient to meet the domestic requirement of timber. Considering this, the import of wooden logs was allowed under Open General License during 1983. The timber merchants' commenced import of logs and timber of various species including teak logs in bulk quantities. There is a constant and high demand of teak logs (Tectona grandis) for use in high quality building materials, indoor or outdoor furniture, high class joinery, turnery, carving etc. The import of plant materials in bulk is always of high plant quarantine risk, this isespecially so, in case of logs and timber. They are invariably imported with bark and are unwieldy in size. The import of teak logs from any country is regulated under Schedule VII of The Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 (Regulation of Import into India) under The Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914 with mandatory treatment by the exporting country that the teak logs shall be fumigated with methyl bromide @ 48g/CuM for 24h at 21°C or above and the treatment endorsed on the Phytosanitary Certificate. Alternatively, the logs could be kiln dried or heat treated at 56°C for 30 min (core temperature of wood) and appropriately marked as "KD" or "HT" as the case may be and in such instance no Phytosanitary Certificate shall be required to be produced before plant quarantine authorities. However, all imported teak logs are subjected to quarantine inspection at the port of entry by an authorized Plant Quarantine Officer, as per PQ Order, 2003.