President Ilham Aliyev approved the law "On Seed Production"

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev approved the law "On Seed Production."

This was reported by Azertaj.

The law is aimed at improving the regulatory framework in the field of seed production taking into account modern requirements, introducing new economic mechanisms, control mechanisms and state support, as well as further deepening reforms in the field of agriculture.

A number of new concepts related to activities in the field of seed production have been included in the law, and existing concepts have been clarified in accordance with their content.

The goals and principles of seed production have been defined in more detail, and the scope of objects and subjects of this field has been clarified. The law provides for bringing seed quality control and certification in line with international practice, clearly defines the powers and duties of seed inspectors, as well as requirements for the processing, disposal, destruction, packaging, and labeling of seeds.

The document provides for the creation of an information resource in the field of breeding and seed production. The unified information system will carry out digital registration of seed operators, as well as the collection of data on breeding achievements, seed crops, and concluded contracts.

The economic foundations of the seed production sector have also been updated. Under the previously effective legislation, the production of high-reproduction seeds was carried out on a quota basis, which limited competition under market economy conditions.

Attracting the private sector to the production of original and elite seeds will create a competitive environment, as well as conditions for the development of private breeding and private primary seed production.

In addition, the head of state signed a decree on the application of the law "On Seed Production" and the introduction of corresponding amendments to some of his decrees.

According to the document, the Cabinet of Ministers must approve a number of regulatory acts within five months and inform the President accordingly.

In particular, this concerns the procedure for exercising state control in the field of seed production, the procedure for recognizing the equivalence of relevant technical regulatory acts of countries that are foreign trade partners of Azerbaijan, the amounts of fees for services, the procedure for collecting and analyzing information on the state of seed production, as well as the description and sample of seed inspector certificates.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers must approve the risk management procedure in the field of seed production, the procedure for registering seed operators in the information resource in the field of breeding and seed production, the amount of compensation and the procedure for reimbursing expenses for seeds and seed crops destroyed as part of measures to prevent the spread and eliminate harmful organisms.

The procedure for the distribution and use of funds received from fines for violations of seed production legislation and transferred to the account of the Ministry of Agriculture will also be determined.

In turn, the Ministry of Agriculture must, within three months, approve regulatory acts governing the production, processing, packaging, labeling, transportation, procurement, storage, import, export, disposal, decontamination, and destruction of seeds.

In addition, the ministry must approve the procedure for determining the varietal and sowing qualities of seeds and their certification, the rules for conducting field inspections of seed crops and organizing the activities of field inspectors, as well as determine the quantity (mass) of seeds imported for demonstration at exhibitions and for conducting farm trials by legal entities and individuals on their own crops.