Food security: Ministry seeks early amendment in Seed Act

Existing weak laws have failed to curb sale of illegal and substandard seeds.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research wants an early amendment in the Seed Act 1976 in an effort to strengthen the country’s seed laws and effectively control and regulate the quality of seeds of various crop varieties.

To this effect, a draft bill entitled the Seed (Amendment) Bill 2014 has already been tabled in the National Assembly and referred to the standing committee concerned for consideration.

A senior official in the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said that due to the existing weak and ineffective seed laws, the business of illegal and substandard seeds has surged to an all-time high, which has badly affected crop productivity.

“There is little punishment and fine under the Seed Act 1976, which is the main reason for the presence of substandard seeds in our markets,” the official said.

However, he pointed out that due to the lack of interest on the part of previous governments, the new law could not be passed from parliament and now it has been submitted again for enactment. Under the existing Act, there is a symbolic fine of Rs1,000 on the substandard seed business, which has been proposed to be increased to Rs50,000 under the new law. In addition to this, the duration of punishment was also proposed to be enhanced to six months imprisonment from three months.

The Seed Act 1976 was enacted by parliament to control and regulate the quality of seeds of various varieties of crops. The Act envisages public sector as the sole player in seed development and registration processes with no role assigned to the private sector.

According to the ministry, the Seed Act 1976 does not fulfil the requirements of modern seed industry. Over the years, the capacity of the public sector has deteriorated and the private sector is playing a stronger and more vibrant role in the development of seed industry across the world.

Innovations in hybrid technology and Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs) have transformed the seed industry.

The new Seed Amendment Bill 2014 has been drafted considering the realities of modern times and will provide a level playing field to both public and private sectors.

Salient features of the bill

The draft bill would clearly delineate the role of registered seed companies, seed dealers, processing units and fruit plant nurseries established in the private sector.

It would also allow the private sector to produce basic seeds for their multiplication and certification and to establish accredited seed testing laboratories.

Besides, the draft bill after its enactment would also authorise the registration of GMCs subject to an undertaking by the applicant that no terminator technology is involved in the development of the seed variety. A certificate from the National Bio-safety Committee (NBC) would be a pre-requisite for the approval of the plant variety.

Finally, the draft bill would enhance fines against the sale of substandard seeds in the market.

This amendment bill was first presented to the cabinet in 2007, after support resolutions from the provincial assemblies. The bill could not be placed before parliament because of the dissolution of the assembly soon after.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th,  2015.

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