SINGAPORE: If you're thinking of bringing home some plants from
abroad, make sure they come with a phyto sanitary or plant health
certificate.
The only exception is if you're bringing in up to three plants from
Malaysia.
You may be fined up to $1,000 for importing plants that carry
exotic pests and diseases.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) says that it has
seized some 500 diseased plants at its checkpoints in the last two
years.
Rhinocerous beetles may be small but they're a big enemy of
plants.
Once they creep into the roots, stem and leaves, the plant would
rot and die.
And, even if just 10 percent of the palm trees here get infected by
such pests, it'll cost the government $1.3 million to replace
them.
With some 1.4 million trees in the Garden City, Singapore is not
taking any chances.
The AVA says it inspects and treats all imported plants at the
customs checkpoints.
Ong Ai Khim, senior plant health officer at AVA's Import Export
Division, said: "For importers to bring in plants to Singapore,
they need an import permit from AVA and a phyto sanitary
certificate from the exporting country to certify that the
consignments are free from injurious pests and diseases." -
CNA/ir