Aim to uproot: Amended seed act challenged

LAHORE: The Pakistan Amended Seed Act, 2015 has been challenged for violating the farmers’ fundamental rights. The petitioner claims the law was passed at the behest of US-based multinational seed manufacturing companies.

Through a public interest petition, Advocate Sheraz Zaka contended the law would lead to increased prices of agricultural products and threaten food security.

He claimed farmers would be fined and imprisoned for preserving, selling and exchanging seeds ­— a centuries-old tradition. He termed it ‘sheer injustice’ to millions of small and landless farmers.

Advocate Zaka said the act made it mandatory for farmers to buy seeds from a licensed company or agent every time they cultivate crops. This would create a monopoly of companies and make farmers dependent on multinational corporations.

He argued that growing genetically modified crops was disastrous for the country and the government’s intention to promote them was unfortunate.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2016.