ICAR-NBPGR and MoEF &CC in association with NACEN, Patna and Customs, Raxaul organized Training Workshop at Integrated Check Post, Raxaul, Bihar (November 22-23, 2017)

Training Workshop on Strengthening Capacities of Enforcement Agencies (Plant Quarantine and Customs Officials) for Transboundary Movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) under UNEP-GEF Phase-II Capacity Building Project on Biosafety was organized at Integrated Check Post, Raxaul, Bihar on November 22-23, 2017. It was organized by ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) in association with NACEN, Patna and Customs, Raxaul, Bihar. The Workshop was inaugurated by Shri Santosh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, LCS Customs, Raxaul. Thirty one officials from the Customs and Plant Quarantine Departments, Govt. of India participated in the training workshop. The faculty included Dr Shashi Bhalla, Dr V Celia Chalam, Principal Scientists and the conveners of the training workshop from ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and Dr Ranjini Warrier, Former Adviser, MoEF& CC, Govt. of India. The participants were apprised about LMOs, National and International Framework on Biosafety, Role of Customs Officials in the implementation of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, National Plant Quarantine System, Documentation Requirements for Transboundary Movement of LMOs, Sampling Strategy for LMOs and Use of Biosafety Clearing House and Detection of LMOS (immonodiagnostics and PCR-based). Participants were also demonstrated the detection of LMOs by a simple, efficient and accurate technique viz., Lateral Flow Strip Test for detection of Cry1Ac in Bt cotton seeds. There was an interactive session in which representatives of both customs and plant quarantine officials put fourth their view points and were discussed. This was followed by a visit to the Indo-Nepal border.