Seed Law (No. 149 of 2009).

The purpose of this Law is to regulate the production, quality assurance, sale, trade, sowing and mulitplication of seeds. The main objectives of the Law are: development of agricultural seed and planting materials; protection of genetic material and plant germplasm soucres; guidance on scientific research of seeds; and self-sufficiency of the country in agricultural products.
This Law provides for the establishment of the National Seed Board, for Official Seed Testing Laboratories, and seed cleaning centres and it appoints Seed Certification Officers by defining their functions and duties. Procedures to apply for a licence for selling, growing and trading certified seeds are outlined in the text. The Law lays down procedures for importing seed, acquiring a Seeds Import Licence and defines importer’s obligations. The text also provides for offences and penalties.