Law of Protection and Utilization of the Country's Genetic Resources

The Law, which consists of 9 articles, aims to assure the sustainable use of all genetic resources located in the territory of Iran or genetic resources with Iranian origins. According to the Law, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Environment are responsible authorities to manage and preserve genetic resources and Gene Banks regarding agriculture, gardening, forests, rangelands, deserts, fisheries, livestock, beekeeping, poultry, pesticides, food, diseases, as well as medical genetic resources and wildlife genetic resources. The Law also obliges the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Environment to recognize, register, preserve and rehabilitate genetic resources and relevant traditional knowledge, to monitor the utilization of genetic resources and issue necessary authorization, to reduce the probable threats to genetic resources, and to increase research and development activities with regards to the sustainable use of genetic resources. The Law also establishes the National Genetic Resources Council to coordinate the activities of different sectors and to supervise all decisions regarding agricultural genetic resources, medical genetic resources and wildlife genetic resources.