26-04-2024

THE SEEDS BILL, 2O2O

Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

Consolidation of existing statutes

Need to consolidate existing statutes for seed quality regulation
i. The Seeds Act, 1966 for notified of food and fibers crops
ii. The Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 under the Essential Commodities Act,
1955 for any varieties of food and fibers crops
iii. The Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 for transgenic varieties.
. Need to upgrade the quality of seeds sold
. Non-notified varieties and plant nurseries not covered
Mild penal provisions in existing Seeds Act, 1966 (Rs.500/- for
first offence and Rs.1000/- for subsequent offence).

Division

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Chronology of the Seeds Bill, 2020

Date Events

09.12.2004 Introduction in the Rajya Sabha.

t6.t2.2004 Referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture

12.10.2006 The report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee

on Agriculture was presented to Parliament.
08.02.2010 Note for the Cabinet for moving 72 official
amendments.
04.03.2010 The Cabinet approved 72 official amendments.

Chronology of the Seeds Bill, 2020 (Contd.)

Date Events
28.07.2010 Meeting of MPs/VIPs with the HAM. Agreed for few changes.

20.10.2010 The Cabinet approved official amendments.

08.02.2011
to Notice to Rajya Sabha for moving the official amendments and
06.02.2014
consideration and passing of the Bill.
21.03.2015
The Informal Group of Ministers has agreed all the provisions in the
Seeds Bill, 2004 and its official amendments.
22. 07.20L6 The recommendations of Informal Group of Ministers were submitted to
PMO
2020 The Seeds Bill is revised and re-drafted as per the present suitability in
consultation with various stakeholders.

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CONSULTATIONS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

stakeholder meeting was convened on 06.11.2019 and comments received from:

ICAR, PPV&FRA, Department of Agriculture, state seed certification Agencies, state

Seed Corporations, National Level Seeds producing Agencies, FSII and NSAI

CONSULTATIONS WITH PUBLIC

Draft Bill uploaded on the Department websiE on 25.10.2019 for comments and
around 100 organizations/individuals provided the comments.

Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Bhartiya Krishak Samai, Seed Industries, SAUs, ICAR
Institutes, state Seed Associations, All India Kisan sabha, Farmers Associauons,
Potato & vegetable Growers Association, Advocate, cpl (Maxist), NGos, Educational
Institutions, Farmers and Individuals

INTER M INISTERIAL CONSU LTATION

Draft Catrinet Note circulated on 27.01,2020 for comments

Ministry/Depaftment of Commerce, Textiles, Biotechnology,

Environment, Forest and Climate change, External Affairs, Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, ICAR, Expenditure, Legal
Affairs, Legislative Depaftment and NiTI Aayog.

Two copies of Cabinet Note submitted on 02.05.2020 to the pMO

and Cabinet Secretariat.

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SALIENT FEATURES
New definitions

Misbranded, Brand Name, National Seed Varieties, State Seed

Varieties, Seed Quality Monitoring Offlcer, Dealer, Genetically
Engineered Variety, Plant Nursery Producer, Seed Processing,
Spurious Seed

Modification in the definition

Farmers, Agriculture, Seeds

Farmers definition
There was no deflnition in the Seeds Act, 1966

As per the Seed Bill:

Farmer means any person who cultivates crops either by cultivating the
land himself or through any other person, but does not include any
individual, company, trader or dealer who engages in the procurement
and sale of branded seeds.

See Division

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Seed definition
As per the Seeds Act, 1966:
seed means any of the following classes of seeds used for sowing or planting- (i)
seeds of food crops including edible oil seeds and seeds of fruits and vegetablei; (ii)
cotton seeds; (iii) seeds of cattle fodder.

and includes seedlings, and tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all types of
graft! and other vegetatively propagated material , of food crops or cattle fodder;
As per the Seeds Bill, 2020:

seed means any type of living embryo or propagule, including seedlings, tubers,
bulbs, rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all types of grafts, tissue culture plantlets, synthetic
seeds and other vegetatively propagated material, capable of re-generation and
giving rise to a plant which is true to such type on which it was produted.

Compulsory registration of varieties

i Multiple registration of seed varieties in states
,. voluntary notitlcation of varieties based on the perfbrmance in multi-location trials
r Notification fbr indefinite period.
) Compulsory registration of al I varieties except the varieties for export.
F Deemed registration of all seed varieties available in the market
P Evaluation of performance of by ICAR/ SAU and other
Variety
organisation.
) 15 yrs for annual/biennial crops and 18 yrs for long duration perennials.
) Re-registration after re-establishment of performance in the multi-
location trials.
F Voluntary registration of farmers variety.

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Labelling for packing of seeds

In order to ensure the quality of seed supply to the farmers

Compulsory provision of disclosure of expected performance of seeds

in term of yield.

Globally seed health standards are adopted to supply of healthy seeds and
planting materials to the farmers:

Seed Health is added as additional standard for seed quality

Regulation of nurseries

),No control for supplying of quality planting materials to the

farmers.
)Provision for registration and regulation of nurseries of fruits,
vegetables, ornamentals, plantation crops/ medicinal and aromatic
plants, forestry species, sugar cane, etc. Has been made in the Bill

Sec olvi3ion

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Seed Certification

Supplying truthfully labeled seeds without proper testing and certification

>Provision for compulsory certiflcation of seeds of all varieties supply to the

farmers

iExemption of farmers varieties and varieties meant for export from

compulsory certifi cation

> Accreditation of other Organisations for certification.

iCompulsory Certiflcation after sufficient time for infrastructure creation

Seed Quality Enforcement

State Governments only appoints of Seed Inspector for regulating
the quality of seeds.

The Central Government has no power to check the quality of seeds

even if the quality complaint received

Provision for appoint Seed Quality Monitoring Officerc for

regulating the quality of seeds in addition to Seed
Inspector.

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Price Regulation in emergent situation

No provision for regulation of seed price even under
emergent situation
)Seed price regulation by the Central Government under emergent
situation i.e.

)Scarcity of particular seed varieties

FAbnormal rise in prices or monopolistic pricing/profiteering.

Penalty for offences

> Mild penal provision of Rs.500/1000 with or without
imprisonment (6 months) in the Seeds Act, 1966.

Enhanced penalty for offences

> Rs.50,000 to Rs 5.00 Lakh for first offence,

F Rs 10.00 Lakh with 1 year imprisonment for subsequent offence.

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Farmers rights
F Farmer has the right to grow, save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange,
share or sell his farm produced seeds and planting materials
except when he sells such seed or planting material under a
brand name.
) Voluntary registration of farmers varieties.

! Farmers representation in Central seed Committee is enhanced

from two to five.

Genetically Engineered Seeds

) Environmental clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest

and Climate Change(MoEF&CC) under the Environmental
Protection Act, 1986.
) Application of Seeds Act after approval of MoEF&CC

) Exclusion of ceftain kind or variety of seeds from registration (to

protect public order or to avoid serious prejudice to the
environment and terminator technology).

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Expoft of seeds
Provision for facilitating export by

registration

) Exports can be restricted only if such exports adversely affect the

food security of the country.

Impoft of seeds
)No compulsory registration of imported varieties
)Season trial for free from exotic pests/disease and performance of
cereals/pulses/ oilseeds/fodder etc.
FVegetable and flowers in OGL category

)Compulsory registration of all imported varieties

FAll imported seeds and planting materials should meet to minimum
prescribed seed standards.
)All import subject to Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India)
Order, 2003 and other relevantActs.

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Exemption from the Act

F Educational Institutions

)Scientific Institutions

FResearch Organization from the Act

Role of State Government

F Seed Law Enforcement is vested with the State Government.
F Establishment of State Seed Committee to recommend State varieties
for registration.
i Registration of seed producers and seed processing units.
) Registration of Seed dealer to carry on the business of selling,
importing, exporting or supplying the seed.
- Registration of plant nurserles.
) Establishment of State Seed Ceftification Agenry
.- Notiflcation of State Seed Testing Laboratories.
intment of Seed Analysts and Seed Inspector

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PMO meeting
A meeting was held on 01.07.2020 under the chairmanship of Shri Amarjeet Sinha,
Adviser to Honble Prime Minister on the Seeds Bill, 2020. Following officers were
attended the meeting:

)Prof. Ramesh Chand, Membei Nm Ayog

>Secretary DA&FW
>Secretary Consumer Affairs
>Secretary Food and Public Distribution
>Secretary MoEF&CC
>Secretary DARE
iSecretary DBT
lJoint Secretary PMO
>AS and JS (Seeds), DA&FW

Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2020

>Modification of definition of seeds for hybrid varieties (Secretary DARE)

"seed" means any type of living embryo or propagule, including seedlings, tubers, bulbs,
rhizomes, roots, cuttings, all type of grafts, tissue culture plantlets, synthetic seeds and
other vegetatively propagated material, capable of regeneration and giving rise to a plant
which is true to type on which it is produced; except in case of seed of hybrids where
performance is assured for first filial qeneration only.

>Registration of kind may also be included in the Bill for registration for forest/ under
utilised crops where varieties are not available. (Member Nm Ayog and Secretary
MoEF&CC)
!Provision for exclusion of small ornamental plants nurseries from compulsory
registration as notified from time to time by the Government. (Secretary MoEF&CC)

Cont.

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Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2020

lDeletion of the provision of seed Quality Monitoring officer for regulating seed quality.
(Secretary DA&FW)

>Penalty for offences with compounding provision for a period of 5 yrs. (Secretary
Department of Consumer Affairs)

)Provision for compulsory seed certification of selected crops as notified from time to
time by the Government. (Secretary DA&FW)

icentral Government power to introduce new seed technologies through notification.

(Secretary DA&FW)

lconducting trials for evaluating the performance of varieties for registration by ICAR/
state Agricultural universities (sAUs)/state Government farms/other organizations as
prescribed. (Member NITI and Secretary DARE)

Cont.

Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2O2O

lAccredited Private organization will conduct the trials for registration of varieties under
supervision of ICAR/SAUs as prescribed. (Member NITI Ayog and Secretary DARE)

>National certification system for Tissue culture ralsed plant will be included in
certification system. (Secretary, DFf)

>The final bill will be discussed with Pricipal Secretary/ Secretary Agriculture of State's/
UTs . (Member NITI Ayog)

FA mechanism of farmers' grievance to address seed quality complaintslseed failure to

be included in the Bill (Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs)

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PMO meeting on 18th March, 2024

Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2O2O

lExclude farmer varieties from the voluntary registration
LFarmers need to be exempted ftom the Act.
F Farmer definition [eeds to be re-visited as per Kisan Ayog or M S Swaminathan report or
FAO
PDelelion of Seeds Quality Monitoring Officer
)Provision for directing Seeds Inspector by Central Govemment as when required for quality
check
)Clause 23 (Exclusion of certain varieties from registration) to be deletedlre-visited as this
clause restricting the new technology
)All definition need to be align with intemational level
)Re-registration ofvarieties will be replaced with fresh registration
)Period ofevaluation for the performance (trails) may be reduced from 3 years to 2 years

Cont.

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Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2020

)QR code and SArHI Portal code to be legalized as per the Legal Metrological Act and
incorporate in the Bill
>Revisit the penahy for offences (a) Re-visit the imprisonment provision (b) proviso may be
added in the Clause that farmers not to be prosecuted in any case
I Exemption from compulsory registration and ce(ification for export varieties need to
mentioned'exclusively for export'
PProvision to register the impo(ed varieties which was already tested in the exporting
Country with trial data i.e. (regisuation based on the information)
LConstitutional provision for enactment of Seeds Act need to be included in the Note for the
Cabinet
lConfirm the Seeds Inspector power with CRPC

Cont.

Changes were proposed in the Seeds Bill, 2020

)Dehnition of GM crop may take from MoEF&CC
lGM varieties u,ill be treated as normal varieties after environmental clearance by GEAC
zNo duplieation of work with MoEF&CC and DBT on GM crop and Tissue Culture
)Regulation or Compliance burden may be reduced
P State may be tixed for the responsibility and implementation
lApply the ease oldoing business rules
>Penalty for the contravene to the Act to the person who is in-charge not for CEO
LProcedure need for withdrawal of registration varielies
)Compensation ttrough Consumer Protection Act.

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Detail sought in the Seeds Ball, 2020

FTimeline and blueprint for accrediting seed certification agencies
)Procedure and road map for deemed registration of varieties
lMechanism and procedure for fixing the seed price
FMechanism for regulatiag the seed quality
FRegulation of Planl nurseries after registration, performance, viability etc.

The Seeds Act, 1966

Versus
The Seeds Bill, 2O2O

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The Seeds Act, 1966 v/s the Seeds Bill, 2020

The Seeds Act, 1966 The Seeds Bill, 2020

Covers seeds of notified varieties of It will cover seeds ol all varieties of all the crops
fbod crops, fruits, vegetables, tbdder, {Clauses 2 (l)}.
cotton and jute onty (Section 2 ( I I ).
No explicit farmers' exemption Explicit farmer's exemptions. The Bill shall not
restrict the right of the farmer to grow, save, use,
sow re-sow exchange, share or sell his farm seeds
and planting materials except when he sells such
seed or planting materials under a brand name
(Clause I (2) (b)).

Ministry of Agriculturc & Farmers Welfare

The Seeds Act, 1966 v/s the Seeds Bill, 2020

TheSeedsAct, 1966 The Seeds Bill, 2020

No definition of producer, dealer, Lucid definition of farmers, dealers, national seed

national seed varieties, State seed varielies. State seed varieties. misbranded etc
varieties. misbranded etc (Section 2). producers, etc (Clause 2).
The standards to be prescribed will be The standards to be prescribed will be for germination,
lor germination and purity with physical, genetic purity. seed health and additional
respect to notified variety (Section 6). requirements including any other parameters required
to be labelled under the laws relating to variety of all
registered varieties sold in the market (Clause l2).

M ln istry of Agriculture & Farme rs W€lfare

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The Seeds Act, 1966 vls the Seeds Ball, 2020

The Seeds Act, 1966 The Seeds Bill, 2020

No provision for giving expected Information about expected performance ol'

performance of variety on the seed variety shall be compulsory to be given on the
label. seed label (Clauses 12 &29).
Two representatives of seed More representatives of farmers in the Central
grower in the Central Seed Seed Committee i.e. one farmer each from five
Committee (Section 3 (2) (ii)). geographical zone of the country on rotation
basis (Clause 4 (l) (q)).

Minislry of Agriculture & Farmers W.lfare

The Seeds Act, 1966 v/s the Seeds Bill, 2020

The Seeds Act, 1966 The Seeds Bill, 2020

Notification of crop variety is . Compulsory registration of all varieties by the

voluntary by Central Government Registration Sub-Committee.
. Voluntary registration of larmers varieties
(Section 5).
. Varieties meant fbr export are exempted from the
registration (Clause 18 ( I )).
Notification of the varieties for Registration for a period of 15 years for annual and
indefinite period. biennial crops and l8 year lor perennial crops
(Clause l8 (4)).

M ihistry of Agri(uhure & Farme15 W.lfare

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The Seeds Act, 1966 v/s the Seeds Bill, 2O2O

The Seeds Act, 1966 The Seeds Bill, 2020

No separate provisions for Special provisions for registration of genetically

notification of genetically engineered varieties (Clause 20).
engineered varieties.
Minimum limits of germination and The imported varieties will be required to be
purity required for import of seeds registered based on the performance in the multi-
(Section l7). location trials in India. Furtheq the seeds of
imported variety will meet all the seed quality
standards (Clause 45).

The Seeds Act, 1966 v/s the Seeds Bill, 2004

The Seeds Act, 1966 The Seeds Bill,2020
Seed certification is voluntary Compulsory certification of seeds of all registered varieties
ibr notified varieties Farmers varieties and the varieties meant for export are
exempted (Clause 32).
Mild penal provision of Enhanced penalty for offences
Rs.500/1000 with or without
imprisonment (6 months) )Rs.50,000 to Rs 5.00 Lakh for first offence.
(Section l9).
iRs. 1.00 lakh to Rs 10.00 lakh for second offence

>Rs 10.00 Lakh with one year imprisonment for

subsequent offence. (Clauses 47 &48 )

I\rifl istry of Agriculture & Farm€rs Welfare

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New provision in the Seeds Bill, 2020

Prohibition of Genetic Use Restriction Technology including Terminator technology (Clause
23).
Compulsory registration of seed producer, seed processing unit and seed dealers with State
Covemment. However, Central registration of seed companies operating in more than two
States (Clauses 25& 26).
Regulation ofplant nurseries (Clauses 27 & 28)
Seed price regulation in case ofemergent situation by Central Govemment(Clause 30).
Accreditation of Central, State Govemment and other organizations as Seed Certification
Agency (Clause 34).
Seed Quality monitoring officers in addition to the Seed Inspector for regulating the quality of
seeds(Clauses 43-44).
Exemption of Educational, Scientific and Research Organization from all the provisions ofthis
Act (Clause 53).

l\,4inistry ofAgriculture & Farmers Welfarc

RECOMMENDATIONS OF PARLIAMENTARY
STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
oN THE SEEDS BILL, 2OO4

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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

FTotal recommendations / obseruations: 52

)Accepted recommendations: 35
)Not accepted recommendation: 12
FPartial accepted recommendation: 4

ACCEPTED RECOM MENDATIONS

PPV&FR Act, 2001 should be full yo rative first, belbre ASSIN the Bill
Clarity in the definition of farmers
Th e Committee recommend that the words, 'or v,hich does not conform to the minimum
limit of germination. physicql purity. genetic purity prescribed under Clause (a) or (,lause
(b) of section should be deleted from Clause 43 ( I ) so that the rights of the larmer are not
intiinged and provision of the new seed Bill is made consistent with the corresponding
vision in the PPV&FR Act 2001 .
Exemption of the farmers from registration. should come in the beginning of the Bill and
ma bc laced ust after Clause I 3
Seed Price regulation
Seed mark or symbol on the lines of Agmark to denote quality of the seed should be
introduced and the labelli rovisions under the Seeds Act.
Rationalization of power ol Seed lnspeclors
n of thrmers f'rom the definition of ucer.

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ACCEPTED RECOM MENDATIONS

Misleading pictues/ads should not be printed on the seed packages unless they are true to
the variety inside the package and a suitable clause should be added to the Bilt itself
Definition of producer should not cover t'armers.
Modilication in the detlnition of seed
Director. National Centre lbr Aromatic and Medicinal Plants as a member of the Committee.
Exemption of Farmers varieties from compulsory registration.
Maintenance of a National Register varieties & publication list website every 3 months.
Represenlation of five ianners in the Committee
Disclosure of passport data olthe parental lines and source ofdevelopment olvarieties at the
time of registration of varieties.
Delete the provisional registration of transgenic varieties.
Publication cancellation of varieties along with ofnames ofthe seed producers and dealers.
Registration of seed producer and processing unit only in the State where the seed
production is taken up.

ACCEPTED RECOM MENDATIONS

Complete tieedom to farmers on selling of farm saved seed as well as bartering of seeds
Seed Certification Agency established in tbreign country should be recognised only if the
seed certified by it is invariably tested on Indian soil to conlbrm to the specified minimum
limits of germination, genetic and physical purity and maximum seed health.
Seed Inspector call the two respectable persons in place of independent witnesses ol the
same locality at the time of taking the samples of any seed.
Function of seed analyst and improved functioning and performance of Seed Testing
Laboratories
Registration of imported varieties should be done based on the trial conducted in India
Rule making provision fbr manner of sampling by the Secd [nspector.
Regulation of sale oftransgenic varicties.
Doing away with provision of self certification,
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NOT ACCEPTED RECOM M ENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS REASON
Compensation to farmers in case of The bill is focus on giving guaranteed performance.
seed failure through Compensation Establishment of Committees at District level require
Committee enormous expenditure on parallel infrastructure
Com ensation Ihrou Consumer Protection A 1986.
Seed Crop Insurance The purpose of the Bill is to upgrade the seed quality
regime.
Hedging of risk through insurance is beyond the purview
of the Bill.
Seed crop insurance can be facilitated through an
a ro iate scheme.
Responsibility of Central and State Advisory committees.
Seed Committee for non Not certifi cation agencies.
perfgrmance of seeds
Registration of kind in addition to A large number of varieties are available in different
Lrierv crops.

NOT ACCEPTED RECOM M EN DATIONS

Deletion of provision of re- To exlract ma,rimum potential of a variety
registration of variety R istration ofvariet is not for thc of conGni IPR.
Seed testing before registrationof a Seed testing is a post registration activity and not a pre-registralion
variety requirement.
Registration ofvariety is to be granted on the basis of performance
inciudin ic ld resistance to disease/d ts etc
Pre-grant opposition to registration Required from the IPR point ofview
ofvariety The Bill is intended not to grant IPR but, to regulate the quality of
marketed seeds.
Accreditation of only public sector Organizations will be accredidated by Committee based on lheir
oryanizations for evaluation of capabilities.
performance ofvariety
Declaring only Govemment or semi- Private sector also has an important role in production and
govemment laboratories for seed distribution of seeds.
testing Huge seed testing infrastructure are required.
Private sector laboralories also be accredited if they meet the
prescribed slandards

)?
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PARTIALLY ACCEPTED RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS REASON
Enhancement of penalties Penalties have been enhanced- but not to the same extent as
in the PPV&FR Act
Objective of the PPV&F'R Act is to grant lPR. whereas the
Seeds Bill will regulate the quality ofseeds.
Nomination of Secretary Some States may be spanning several agro-climatic zones
(Agriculture) of one State each ln other cases, a State may cover one zone only
from the agro-climatic zones in the Representation of States would become skewed.
Committee. Representation of Secretary (Agriculture) of one State from
each geographical zone, by rotation in the Committee.

Auditing of Seed ofa STL is accepted

Testing Technical audit
Laboratories: The practices and standards for the laboratories will be
prescribed in the rules.

The Seeds Bill, 2015

Versus
The Seeds Bill, 2O2O

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Seeds Bill 2015 V/s Seeds Bill 2O2O

Secds Ilill 2015 Seeds Bill 2020
Definition of Farmers
means any person who cultivales "lhrmer" means any person who cultivates
crops either by cultivating the land himself crops either by cultivating the land himself
or through any other person or any person or through any other person, but does not
who conscrves or preserves. severally or include any individual, company, trader or
jointly with any other person, any dealer who engages in the procurement and
traditional varieties or adds value to such sale of branded seeds;
traditional varieties through selection and
identificalion of their useful prope(ies but
does not include any individual. company,
trader or dealer who engages in the
procurement and sale of seeds on a
commercial basis:

Seeds Bill 2015 V/s Seeds Bill 2020

"fruit nursery" means any place, where "plant nursery" means any place, where
truit plants are. in thc regular course ol plants are. in the regular course of business,
business, produced or propagated and sold produced or propagaled and sold for
Ibr transplantation; transplantation:
Dellnition of kind No definition
New definition for Brand Name, Seed
Quality Monitoring Ofllcer. Dealer,
Producer
ADG ( Seeds) and CMD, NSC in the
Committee

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Seeds Bill 2015 V/s Seeds Ball 2020

Registration of National kind and varieties by Compulsory registration of varieties by the
the Registration Sub-Committee and State kind Registration Sub-Committee fbr a period of I 5
and Varieties by State Seed Committee for a years for annual and biennial crops and
period of l0 years for annual and biennial l Syears for long duration perennial crops
crops and l2 years for long duration perennial
crops Voluntary Registration of Farmers Varieties

Exemption of Farmers varieties from Provision for deemed registration of varieties

Compulsory registration. which are available in the market on the date
of the commencement of this Act. The list to
Provision for deemed registration of varieties be fumished within the period of six months
which are available in the market on the date and detail intbrmation furnished within the
of the commencement of this Act. Detail period of five years.
information fumished within the period of two
E3IS.

Seeds Bill 2015 V/s Seeds Bill 2020

Registration of Seed Producer and Seed In addition to the State registration, Central
Processing Unit with State Govemment in Govemment also registered the Producer and
which he grows or organises such production. Seed Processing Unil \ ho is operating more
than one states (Central Registration).
Not maintaining of seeds standards and First oflence: Rs.50.000 to Rs 5.00 Lakh
contravene any provision: fine Rs. 25,000 to
I Lakh Second offence: Rs. 1.00 lakh to Rs 10.00
Fumishing of any false information relating Iakh
to genetic purity, misbrands or supply any Subsequent oftbnce: Rs 10.00 Lakh with
year imprisonment
spurious seed or sells any non-registered one
seeds : one year imprisonment or with fine
upto 5lakh rupees orwith both

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Seeds Bil! 2015 V/s Seeds Bill 2020

Seed price regulation of State varieties by Seed price regulation by the Central
the State Govemmenl and National varieties Govemment
by the Central Govemment
Voluntary certification Compulsory certification of seeds except
farmer's variety and seeds produced for
rl ex
Accreditation of Ccntral and State In addition to the Central and State
(iovemments organisations to carry out Govemments organisations,
any other
certification. organisations also to accredidate to carry
out certification,
Registration of lruit nurseries Re istration of lant nurseries
Seed Inspectors are empowered In addition to the Seed Inspectors, Central
Govemment empowers Seed euality
Monitoring Officers.

Seeds Bil! 2015 V/s Seeds Biil 2020

Seed lnspectors cnter and search with prior Seed lnspectors with prior information to
written authorisation of the Executive District Administration enter and search
Magistrate. rem ises.
No provision available Provision for Central Government power to
introduce new seed technologies through
notification.
Compensation to the farmer in case of seed fail No provision
to provide the expected performance under the
Consumer Protection Act. 1986.
No provision The Central Govemment. wherever it considers
necessary, by an order in writing direct any
producer or dealer or distributer or vendor to
sell or distribute any seed in such manner as
ma bes cified therein.
o rov I slon Bill has overriding effect.

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Model Nursery Act

All the planting materials of fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, plantation crops,
medicinal and aromatic plants, forestry species, sugar cane, etc. are covered

Clear definition ofplant nursery is available.

Compulsory registration of plant nurseries with State Government.

Central Govemment has power to exempt certain small nursery through

notification.

Cont.

Model Nursery Act

. Keep a complete record of the origin or source of every planting material and
performance record of the variety from which seeds were sourced or the mother
plant in the nursery as the case may be;
. Keep a layout plan of raising seedlings or shorving the position of the root-stocks
and scions used in raising the plantsl
r Keep a performance record of the mother plant in the nurscry;
r Keep the nursery plants source or seeds or the parent trees used for the production
or propagation of plants free fiom infectious or contagious insects, pests or
diseases affecting plants: and
. Fumish such information to the State Government on the production, stocks. sales
and prices of planting material in the nursery and at such intervals as may be
prescribed.

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Model Nursery Act

DCompulsory registration of kind/varieties by the Registration Sub-Committee.

DCompulsory labeling of planting material (viability, genetic purity and health)

DProvision for regulation of export and import of seeds/planting materials.

)State Government appoints Seed Inspector, Seed resting Laboratory and seed
Analyst for verifuing the quality.

DProvision for farmers grievances redressal mechanism.

)Enhancement of penalties.

Outcome oI meeting of Horticulture Division and Seed Division on 05,01,2024

After detailed discussion, the following was the outcome of this meeting :-
' Draft seed bill is comprehensive and covers most ofthe aspects given in Model Nursery Act
for ensuring quality planting material to farmers and protection oftheir rights.
' Model Nursery Act is voluntary in nature and states are independent to either adopt, amend or
not to adopt this act. However. if Draft Seed Bill is passed in the parliament, it will be
mandalor) lor Stares to adopt it.
' Draft Seed Bill being a legal instrument is more enlbrceable than Model Nursery Act for
ensuring quality planting material.
' It has been proposed that if possible the'Draft Seed Bill'may be renamed as'Draft seed and
Planting Material Bill'.
' It was recommended that Model Nursery Act may be dropped and Draft Seed Bill may
be pursued to avoid any duplicity or confusion in the regulation mechanism for seeds and
planting materials.

29
 26-O4-2024

Thank You

5U