Deficiencies the government saw in the Seeds Act, 1966

• Registration of seed varieties isn't compulsory

• Varieties not notified by the ICAR not covered

• Commercial crops and plantation crops not covered

• Certification only through state government agencies

• No provision for regulating transgenic materials

• Penalties for infringement very mild

Objectives of the Seeds Bill 2004

• Overcome deficiencies of Seeds Act, 1966

• Create facilitative climate for growth of seed industry

• Enhance seed replacement rates for various crops

• Boost seed import, and that of useful germplasm

• Create conducive atmosphere for application of frontier sciences in varietal development and for enhanced investment in research and development

Highlights of the Seeds Bill, 2004

• Compulsory registration of varieties based on agronomic performance data

• Accreditation of ICAR centres, state agricultural universities and private organisations to conduct agronomic trials

• Accreditation of organisations for certification

• Maintenance of national register of varieties

• To regulate the export and import of seeds

• Exemption for farmers to save, use, exchange, share or sell their seed without registration

• Accreditation of private seed testing laboratories

• Enhancement of penalty for major and minor infringement

• Inclusion of provisions to regulate GM crops and ban on terminator seed