Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Act, 2012 (No. 53 of 2012).

This Act amends the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act with respect to a wide variety of matters including: long title; establishment of a national centre for plant genetic resources; the definitions of "plant variety", "breeder", "national variety list" and various other definitions; appointment of the Service as the national designated authority for matters relating to seeds and plant variety protection; appointment of inspectors, analysts and examiners; preparation by the Service of a national variety list; the making of Regulations for the carrying out of national performance trials; applicant for a plant breeders' right; other matters regarding protected varieties and relative rights.
The newly established National Plant Genetic Resources Centre shall be responsible for the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant biodiversity in Kenya. It shall, among other things: (a) protect the ownership of indigenous seeds and plant varieties, their genetic and diverse characteristics, associated indigenous knowledge and its use by the communities of Kenya; (b) carry, out inventories by evaluating and mapping plant genetic resources distribution in the country; (c) conserve plant genetic diversity by devising and implementing management procedure, including ex-situ and in-situ maintenance; and (d) ensure safe custody and accessibility of all plant bred and naturally occurring germplasm.