Azerbaijan is set to align several existing laws with the newly drafted legislation on "Seed Production." This initiative aims to streamline the regulatory framework governing the agricultural sector, ensuring greater efficiency and oversight.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, details regarding these legislative adjustments were presented during a session of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Committee on Agrarian Policy held today.
The proposed changes involve amendments to the laws on "Selection Achievements," "State Duty," "Licenses and Permits," and "Technical Regulation." These updates are designed to harmonize national standards with modern agricultural practices.
Key provisions of the draft law include:
- Selection Achievements: Establishing a comprehensive information system (Registry) within the Law on "Selection Achievements" to track varieties, hybrids, breeds, registered seed operators, and related contracts.
- State Duty: Introducing new provisions to the Law on "State Duty" to establish fees for the registration of seed operators and the issuance of certificates verifying seed quality and variety. This measure is intended to enhance the quality of services provided in the agricultural sector.
- Licenses and Permits: Adding a new article to the Law on "Licenses and Permits" to include the issuance of extracts from the seed operator registry as a regulated activity. This will create an effective tracking mechanism for seed circulation, prevent violations, and restrict the entry of low-quality products into the market, given the strategic importance of seeds for food security.
- Technical Regulation: Amending the Law on "Technical Regulation" to clarify that mandatory requirements for plant variety seeds are governed by the Law on "Seed Production," thereby exempting them from certain general technical regulations.
The agricultural sector remains a priority for the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the government consistently working to implement reforms that bolster food security and support local farmers. By modernizing the legal framework for seed production, the state aims to ensure that high-quality, certified seeds are accessible, ultimately increasing crop yields and promoting sustainable agricultural development across the country.
