Seeds of plant varieties and hybrids that are regionalized in the Republic of Azerbaijan, registered in the Registry, and possess a certificate confirming their varietal and sowing qualities will be allowed into commercial circulation.
elchi reports that this is reflected in the new draft law “On Seed Growing,” which was discussed at today’s meeting of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis.
According to the draft, the commercial circulation of seeds is carried out based on a license agreement concluded with the patent holder of the protected variety and registered in accordance with normative legal acts.
The commercial circulation of the following seeds is not permitted:
– seeds of non-regionalized varieties;
– seeds of varieties and hybrids not registered in the Registry;
– seeds that do not have a certificate confirming varietal and sowing qualities (as well as a phytosanitary certificate if required by the importing countries during import and export operations) or seeds whose certificate confirming varietal and sowing qualities has expired;
– unpackaged and unlabeled seeds;
– genetically modified seeds or seeds created using modern biotechnological and genetic engineering methods.
It is prohibited to provide false information about the name, origin, and quality of the plant variety on seed containers (containers, packages, etc.), labels, or accompanying documents, as well as to disseminate inaccurate advertising regarding a seed batch. The testing of plant varieties and hybrids entering commercial circulation must be carried out in the manner prescribed by the law on “Selection Achievements.”
Seeds whose plant variety or hybrid is registered in the Registry, which have certificates confirming varietal and sowing qualities, and which comply with the requirements of technical normative legal acts may be imported and exported.
In cases provided for by international treaties, indicators of international certificates are accepted for the import and export of seeds. Except for this case, the import of seeds (a seed batch) is permitted by the body (institution) determined by the relevant executive authority after the examination of the following indicators is conducted in accredited laboratories of the body (institution) determined by the relevant executive authority:
– varietal and sowing qualities of the seeds;
– that the seeds are not genetically modified or created using modern biotechnological and genetic engineering methods.
Seeds of plant varieties not registered in the Registry may be imported only in the following cases, subject to agreement with the body (institution) determined by the relevant executive authority:
– for the purposes of selection, research, testing, and exhibition;
– for the purpose of being produced under an international treaty and exported outside the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Import and export of seeds without packaging, labeling, and phytosanitary certificates are not permitted.