Agriculture ministry launches automated plant health certificate issuance

The Agriculture ministry today launched automated issuance of plant health certificates to facilitate fast clearance of exports and imports of plant and plant products.

"Businesses will no longer need to visit offices for certificates to export and import plants. They will get certificates electronically after applying online," said Quamrun Nahar, additional deputy director (export) of Plant Quarantine Wing (PQW) of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) after the launch.

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque virtually inaugurated the automated system to improve efficiency, reduce administrative cost and reduce clearance time, according to press release.

"Service seekers will get quick and easy service. The whole process will be transparent," he said.

At present, nearly 1,500 listed exporters and 2500 importers are engaged in overseas trade of plants and plant products, according to PQW.

And the DAE wing issues 23,000 import permits and 60,000 phyto-sanitary certificates annually.

The online platform will enable businesses to get certificates for releasing goods and anchorage apart from getting import permits, and phyto-sanitary certificates, said the Agriculture ministry press statement.

Introduction of electronic system will be helpful to verify the authenticity of plant health certificates issued online.