Royal Decree No.M/106 of 2018 issuing the Cabinet Resolution No.555 of 2018 approving the Act of dealing with Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

This Act consisting of 15 articles aims at (i) regulating the management of plant genetic resources and protecting them from any wrong practices; (ii) promoting the monitoring, exploration, conservation and optimal utilization of plant genetic resources for food security; (iii) regulating access to plant genetic resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization; (iv) regulating the circulation of plant genetic resources, whether for commercial or other purposes; (v) regulating the entry and exit of plant genetic resources through ports; (vi) protecting the traditional knowledge related to plant genetic resources; and (vii) encourage and support farmers' efforts to manage and conserve their plant genetic resources. The Law provides for the establishment of a National Committee on Plant Genetic Resources Management chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Main tasks of the Committee are (i) control on plant genetic resources; (ii) prepare the reference for the supervision of plant genetic resources; (iii) conduct studies and develop programs in order to achieving the objectives of this Act; (iv) establish a database to preserve information on plant genetic resources; (v) coordinate with local, regional and international bodies in their field of competence; (vi) issue and amend a list of plant genetic resources that cannot be collected, enter or leave through ports, or banned from circulating permanently or temporarily; and (vii) raise awareness among farmers of the importance of plant genetic resources.
Access to genetic resource is possible either through a multilateral system, according to the terms of the International Treaty, or outside the multilateral system, after approval by the General Secretariat of Plant Genetic Resources based on the controls decided by the National Commission and according to the nature of each genetic resource. Before introducing plant genetic resources in the country, it is needed an authorization from the General Secretariat. A Committee shall be formed by a decision of the Minister to consider violations of the provisions of the Law and the application of penalties.