WORTHY GRAINS FROM THE BILL:
• Gives farmers a legal sanction to sell the varieties they have evolved over the years

• Farmers are also recognised as breeders

• Researchers have the right to conduct experiments using patented varieties

• The registration of varieties with genes that involve the destructive terminator technology is prohibited

• Any government or non-government organisation can file a claim on a variety evolved by the local communities

THE CHAFF OF MISGIVINGS:
• Doubts persist whether farmers' will be able to trade in seeds or not

• No mention about the mechanisms for assessing environmental impact of the protected varieties

• A bureaucratic authority to monitor the implementation of the bill

• Lengthy, expensive and stringent process for farmers to register their varieties

• Facilitates filing of lawsuits against farmers

• Permission granted to essentially derived varieties could allow the entry of GM crops through the back door