Seed Industry Development Act, 1992 (Republic Act No. 7308 of 1992). Country/Territory Philippines Document type Legislation Date 1992 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to promote and develop the seed industry in the Philippines and create a National Seed Industry Council and for other purposes. Subject Cultivated plants Keyword Basic legislation Genetic resources International trade Institution Subsidy/incentive Planting material/seeds Breeders' rights/farmers' rights Plant production Intellectual property rights/patents Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, East Asian Seas, North Pacific, South-Eastern Asia Abstract This Act declares the policy of the Government to promote and accelerate the development of the seed industry and to conserve, preserve and develop the plant genetic resources of the nation. The seed industry is considered a preferred area of investment. Definitions include "seed", "seed industry", "seed certification", "seed control", "breeder seed", "foundation seed", and "registered seed". A National Seed Industry Council (Council), funded by a Seed Fund in the General Fund, is established to replace the existing Philippine Seed Board (Board). Council members include representatives from Government, Agriculture University, research institutes, farmers' organizations and the seed industry. The Council's functions include formulating policies that will stimulate plant breeding activities for the development of the genetic resources of the country and promoting infrastructure and support services in the development of the seed industry. In addition, within 90 days after its constitution, the Council shall adopt a Seed Industry Development Program to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply of high quality seeds. The Council is empowered to grant exemptions from the Act's prohibitions on importation in commercial quantities of species of seeds that are being produced locally or exportation of rare species, varieties, lines and strains of plants from the country for scientific or international exchange purposes. The Council may also prohibit additional activities and the Executive Director of the Council is given certain search, seizure and condemnation powers. The Department of Agriculture shall be responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of its component agencies in accelerating the development of the seed industry. The Bureau of Plant Industry is responsible for the production, distribution, regulation of breeder, foundation and registered seeds. The Act specifies roles for additional entities to play in the implementation of the National Seed Industry Development Program. In addition, the Act sets out incentives which the private sector may use to develop the local seed industry. A Technical Secretariat is created under the Council to assume the functions of the existing Board's Technical Working Groups. The Technical Secretariat establishes seed standards and formulates systems and procedures for varietal identification, evaluation, nomination, review and approval for registration, commercial release and discontinuation of crop cultivars and varieties in the National Agricultural Crop Production and Development Program. A National Seed Quality Control Services shall be constituted in the Bureau of Plant Industry. It will control and supervise field inspection and control services and seed testing laboratories. Its functions include formulating plans and programs on seed quality control services and activities on seed testing, plant/seed material certification and other quality control schemes to be developed and conducting other related functions such as seed research and seed technology training.A National Seed Network shall also be established at the Bureau of Plant Industry and major agricultural colleges and universities to produce sufficient quantity of breeder, foundation and registered seeds of all varieties developed by the government sector. The Act provides penalties for violations of its provisions. Full text English Website nseedcouncil.bpinsicpvpo.com.ph References - Legislation Implemented by Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992. Legislation | Philippines | 1992 Keyword: Planting material/seeds, Genetic resources, Institution, Breeders' rights/farmers' rights, Plant production, Plant variety, Intellectual property rights/patents, Endangered species, Plant protection, Protection of species, Trade in species, Wild flora Source: FAO, FAOLEX