ISLAMABAD: The country is amending laws to end the public sector monopoly over the agriculture seed business and allow the private sector to produce basic seeds.

In this regard, Seed Amendment Bill 2014 was introduced in the National Assembly on Friday.

The draft bill, introduced by Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan, proposes amendments to the Seed Act 1976. These changes, the minister said, were required as the act in its present form “does not fulfil the requirements of modern seed industry”.

“Over the years the capacity of the public sector has been impaired and the private sector is playing stronger and more vibrant role in developing seed industry,” he said. “The innovations in hybrid technology and Genetically Modified Crops (GMC) have transformed the industry.”

Though agriculture and all functions related to agriculture have been transferred to the provinces after the 18th Amendment in the Constitution, all the provincial assemblies have passed a special resolution authorising the federal government to amend the seed act and retain it as a federal subject.

The government maintains that it would provide a level-playing field to both the public and the private sector.

To ensure the standards of the seed, the draft bill clearly states the term ‘misbranded seed’ where the loopholes in the seed business have been covered to a large extent.

Know more: Legislation restart on Seed Act

After the approval, the draft bill would allow the private sector to produce basic seed for its multiplication and certification, and the private sector will be able to establish accredited seed testing laboratories.

However, before the development of genetically modified crops, a certificate from National Biosafety Committee would be required to ensure that the environmental concerns are satisfied.

“The genetically modified variety shall have no adverse effect on the environment, human, animal or plant life or health,” the draft stated.

Similarly, the penalties in the existing 1976 law are meagre and have become ineffective. The draft bill enhances the penalties to effectively check sale of sub-standard seeds in the market.

The bill suggests imprisonment of up to three months or fine of up to Rs25,000 for the first offence, whereas for the subsequent offences the punishment would be imprisonment of up to six months or Rs200,000 fine or both.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2014