|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
New Act to regulate import of low quality seeds, plants by SHANIKA SRIYANANDA LIYANAGE With the introduction of the new Seed Act, farmers will soon have the right to go to courts against importers, who sell low quality seeds and plants. Following several complaints made by farmers on imported low quality seed varieties, the Agriculture Ministry will implement the new Act in a bid to regulate all kinds of imported seeds and plants, including flowers and ornamental plants. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development S. B. Dissanayake will introduce the draft Bill before the Parliament, soon. Under this Act, the quality of imported seeds and other agricultural plant varieties should be specified and the farmer has the right to resort to legal action through the Department of Agriculture against importers who violate it.According to a Ministry spokesman, during the past the country had been a dumping ground for substandard seeds and other plant varieties imported from the West and certain Asian countries. "Under the new Act, only high quality agro-plants and seeds can be imported", he added. Under the new Act, all seed importers should register themselves with the Department of Agriculture and it is illegal to import any seed variety without the approval of the Department. The importers will be allowed to sell seeds only if they conform to the standards laid down by the National Seed Council. If seeds are substandard, the farmers can directly complain to the Department of Agriculture, which would take legal action against the importer concerned. "If it is proved, necessary action will be taken against the trader, who will also lose his registration", the spokesman said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
