Introduction
Major drivers for the spread of trans-boundary animal and plant pests and diseases and alien invasive aquatic species are international trade and traffic (except for migratory pests’ like Locust and birds etc). Quarantine is the group of measures taken by the state to prevent the introduction and spread of the pests, diseases, and weeds presenting the greatest danger to agriculture. In Indo-Pak subcontinent, the plant quarantine work was formally initiated with promulgation of Destructive Insect and Pests Act, 1914.
International Obligations
Pakistan is party to a number of chemical conventions aiming at regulating and controlling the manufacturing, formulation, refilling, repacking, distribution, handling and import and export of pesticides in order to protect human health and the environment from the potential harm. The major chemical conventions relating to pesticide in Pakistan are:
• Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides (Signatory since 1992 & ratified 14th July 2005) (http://www.pic.int/)
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutant (POPs) (Signatory since 2001 & ratified 17th April 2008) (https://www.epa.gov/)
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundry Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Signatory since 1994 & ratified 26th July 1994) (https://www.basel.int/)
• Montreal Protocol on Substances Depleting Ozone Layer (ratified on 18.12.1992)