Provinces’ consent sought on amending seed law

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Food Security and Research on Friday directed the Ministry of National Food Security to seek input from all provinces within ten days before moving forward with the Seed (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The directive emphasized the importance of provincial consultation in agricultural legislation, especially in light of the 18th Amendment, which granted provinces greater autonomy over matters related to agriculture.

The Seed (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to update regulations governing the certification, quality, and distribution of seeds in Pakistan. However, committee members argued that any changes should reflect the needs and concerns of all provincial governments to ensure successful implementation.

The panel met here with MNA Syed Hussain Tariq presiding, who repeatedly stated that the bill is time-barred, indicating it would be passed soon.

It was informed that the Seed Act of 1976 and its 2015 amendment were passed following resolutions from provincial assemblies under Article 144 of the Constitution. Now, the new amendments need further consent of the provinces.

The proposed bill seeks to establish the National Seed Development & Regulatory Authority and the Board of Governors (BoG) to oversee the seed sector, a move that has raised concerns within the ministry. Agriculture, however, is a provincial subject, and the bill cannot advance without approval from the provinces.

“If even one province opposes it, the bill will stall,” a government official told The News after the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are under pressure from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to pass this bill quickly. Let’s see if the provinces cooperate,” another committee member said.

During the proceeding, MNA Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan criticized the ministry for not taking action against the proliferation of illegal and substandard seeds, calling for criminal charges against those responsible. “The Federal Seed Certification Department and seed dealers are colluding, destroying the seed sector, especially cotton,” he claimed, further questioning the performance of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) in regulating the industry.

The committee also raised concerns about the unauthorized cultivation of hybrid rice in Pakistan. In response, Federal Secretary for National Food Security and Research Amir Mohyuddin stated that an investigation committee had been formed to look into the matter, with a report expected within four days.

MNA Nadeem Abbas cautioned against hasty decision-making, emphasizing that any negative consequences would primarily affect the provinces. “The provinces can challenge this in court, so their consent is essential,” Abbas said.

The bill, which was initially deliberated by the SIFC during the caretaker government, now awaits the committee’s approval. MNA Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi questioned whether the ministry had formally sought input from the provinces. The secretary admitted that no such communication had been made.

An official from the Law Ministry said that the provinces were represented during SIFC discussions and raised no objections. Sheerazi, however, pointed out that these discussions took place under the caretaker government, which may explain the lack of opposition.

Secretary of the food ministry said that the ministry has a few objection on the bill and suggested that instead of Prime Minister as chairperson of the Authority, the federal Food Security minister should be assigned the responsibility as in the board is composed of almost Secretaries and Additional secretaries.

A member of the committee asked whether the provincial agriculture ministers are members of the board. The secretary Amir Mohyuddin replied that no, only the secretaries of the provincial food departments are the members.

They also proposed that the Authority should include representatives from provincial Ministers, in addition to the Secretaries. The Ministry indicated that there are certain overlaps between the Plant Breeder Rights Act, 2016 and the Seed (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Consequently, the Committee instructed the Ministry to re-examine the Seed (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and directed the Secretary to engage with all relevant stakeholders prior to the next meeting.

The committee is expected to reconvene after receiving input from the provinces.