Seed act 1966
Deficiencies the government saw in the Seeds Act, 1966
• Registration of seed varieties isn't compulsory
• Varieties not notified by the ICAR not covered
• Commercial crops and plantation crops not covered
• Certification only through state government agencies
• No provision for regulating transgenic materials
• Penalties for infringement very mild
Objectives of the Seeds Bill 2004
• Overcome deficiencies of Seeds Act, 1966
• Create facilitative climate for growth of seed industry
• Enhance seed replacement rates for various crops
• Boost seed import, and that of useful germplasm
• Create conducive atmosphere for application of frontier sciences in varietal development and for enhanced investment in research and development
Highlights of the Seeds Bill, 2004
• Compulsory registration of varieties based on agronomic performance data
• Accreditation of ICAR centres, state agricultural universities and private organisations to conduct agronomic trials
• Accreditation of organisations for certification
• Maintenance of national register of varieties
• To regulate the export and import of seeds
• Exemption for farmers to save, use, exchange, share or sell their seed without registration
• Accreditation of private seed testing laboratories
• Enhancement of penalty for major and minor infringement
• Inclusion of provisions to regulate GM crops and ban on terminator seed
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