Amendments to Seed Law pushed

MANILA, Philippines — The Seed Industry Development Act of 1992 (Philippine Seed Law) needs to be amended in order  for the sector to  thrive, an official of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) said.

“I think the Philippine seed law really needs some revision now because it is outdated,” PSIA president Mary Anne Sayoc told reporters.

In particular, he said provisions on seed quality control and illegal seeding practices need to be amended.

Last year, Senate Agriculture and food committee chair Cynthia Villar called a hearing on the Seed Industry Development Act due to its failure to make available high-quality seeds to small farmers.

Villar filed Senate Bill 322, which seeks to set up a continuing national program for hybrid and other quality seeds production which hopes to complement the existing Seed Industry Development Act.

“The Asian Seed Congress comes at an opportune time when the Philippine seed law is undergoing review and revision with the aim of further enhancing the business environment for seeds and making seeds more accessible to farmers,” Sayoc said.

She said the congress organized by the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA) in partnership with the PSIA, is a venue for the seed industry to discuss new seed technologies, exchange views on regulatory trends, network for seed trading, and explore strategies to how to better protect and promote the industry.

“We are also excited on the business that will be generated in the trading tables knowing that our regional seed industry is the strongest around the world,” Sayoc said.

The PSIA president stressed that the regulatory framework for the seed industry is an issue not just for the Philippines but other countries as well.

“Even if we have good quality seeds, but we cannot move them across the world because of a very restrictive seed policy and seed laws. That is a big problem for the seed industry,” Sayoc said.

She said APSA is trying to harmonize measures that could be barriers to international trade.

Moreover, APSA Secretariat acting director May Chodchoey said the Asian Seed Congress facilitates a prime opportunity for stakeholders to get together and network, grow their business and get updates on the latest industry developments and technologies.

Over 1,300 delegates from 50 countries have registered to take part in the congress scheduled on Nov. 12 to 15 at the Marriott Manila Hotel.

This is the third time the Philippines is hosting the event, with previous editions held in 1998 and 2007.