Non-fumigated wheat threat looms large

Consignments with false certificates could make their way to Indian shores, posing health risks

Non-fumigated wheat that could harm people eating it could be entering India despite government rules to not allow such imports. The rules will be made tighter from March 31, but some importers have devised ways to bring in such wheat by producing fake fumigation documents. 

Wheat imports to India must be fumigated with methyl bromide at the port of origin. If this is not done, consignments are fumigated at Indian ports. From March 31, fumigation will have to be done only at the port of origin. 

Traders said some global companies, in collusion with importers, had forged certificates showing ships were fumigated