Policy, Legal & Regulatory Environments

Legal and regulatory systems provide a lens through which to assess a country’s seed system; evaluate implementation challenges; identify relevant regulatory good practices and models that have worked in other markets; integrate legal and political economy considerations to evaluate how policy, law, and regulation can work as an incentive (or disincentive) for change; and identify which interventions could be prioritized.

Vision of a healthy system:. A well-developed policy and regulatory environment is central to a functioning seed system that ensures farmers access to affordable, available, and appropriate quality seed. Each of the key elements of the seed system notably; (i) breeding and variety release; (ii) early generation seed supply; (iii) certified seed production; (iv) awareness by farmers; and (v) seed marketing and distribution is affected by, and requires adequacy of, the policy and regulatory environment at national, regional and international levels
Key components include:
  • Policies and laws that allow private sector to produce EGS to complement government institutional capacity to meet the needs of farmers.
  • Policies and regulations that provide for third-party seed inspection with audit and oversight from government regulatory agencies.
  • Policies and regulations that promote quality and standard seed inspection services.
  • Stronger regional and national policies for the domestication and implementation of regional harmonized regulations
  • Effective policy instruments that prevent the distribution and sale of fake or counterfeit seed
  • Clear and simplified registration process for seed producers and traders
  • Guidelines in place for strong variety development and variety release
  • Guidelines that stipulate and ensure adherence to (and sanctions for non-adherence of) seed packaging and labelling requirements
  • Awareness of the private sector of policies and rules and has access to updates; Channels and systems exist to allow for private sector engagement, feedback, and right of action where appropriate (e.g., against counterfeit products)
Basis of Comparison:. Clear and up to date policies, laws and regulations that promote the participation of private sector and facilitate all seed producers’ access to public varieties for multiplication and accessibility by farmers. Adoption of harmonized laws and regulations to strengthen effectiveness of national policy environments.