Law No. 20-Z “On seed growing”.

This Law regulates the relations related to the seed-growing of agricultural and forestry plants, including genetic engineering, and is aimed at creating conditions for obtaining seeds of plants with the best varietal and sowing qualities. The effect of this Law does not apply to relations, arising in the process of the performance of seed production by natural persons for their own personal needs and not pursuing the goal of profit making. State regulation of seed production shall be performed by the President of the Republic of Belarus, the Council of Ministers of the Republic Belarus, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus, local government, executive and administrative bodies and other state within the sphere of their competence. The subjects of seed growing include legal and natural persons, including individual entrepreneurs, engaged in seed production. State institution "Chief state inspection of seed growing, quarantine and plant protection" and its territorial bodies shall perform arrangements to determine the varietal and sowing qualities of seeds of agricultural plants (crops), keep register of seed producers of agricultural plants (crops), conduct state testing of varieties and ground control, keep state register of varieties, and determine sowing qualities of seeds of forest plants. The objects of seed production include: (a) seeds and planting material; (b) state reserve fund of seeds of agricultural plants (crops); and (c) reserve fund of seeds of agricultural plants (crops) of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. Producers of originators and elite seeds of agricultural plants (crops) shall be subject to registration in the register of seed producers of agricultural plants (crops). Seeds of agricultural plants of plant varieties inserted in the state register of plant varieties shall be authorized for growing, trade and use on the national territory. Plant variety qualities of agricultural plants (crops) must be confirmed by approbation (testing) certificate. Violation of legislation on seed production entails liability in accordance with the acting legislation. This Law consists of VIII Sections subdivided into 29 Articles. Section I lays down general provisions. Section II regards state regulation of seed growing. Section III specifies subjects and objects of seed growing. Section IV deals with registration and testing of plant varieties and seeds of agricultural plants. Section V establishes basic requirements for seed growing. Section VI deals with determination of variable and sowing qualities of seeds. Section VII regards financing, scientific research, supervision and liability in the sphere of seed growing. Section VIII lays down final provisions.