Dissent on Seeds Bill

Kerala and Bihar want amendments

Published on:

31 Mar 2011, 8:56 am

BIHAR and Kerala have come out strongly against the Seeds Bill 2010 to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha, saying states should get more powers to regulate seed trade. They say the bill in its present form would lead to unrestricted commercialisation of seeds now in public domain.

After Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala are the only states to oppose the Bill (see ‘Seeds of strife’, Down To Earth, August 16-31, 2010).

	Bihar demands



	Power to states for registration and licensing Provisions for regulating prices and trait values No to re-registration of seeds by a company for 20 years No self-testing or certificates from foreign agencies Mechanism for compensation to farmers Special provisions for GM crops Hold exporters liable for pest outbreak

	Kerala demands



	Change name of the Bill Power to states for registration, licensing and fixing of prices Banning convicted individuals or firms State control on compensation to farmers Mandatory testing compulsory on registration Exporter and importer should be held responsible in case of a pest outbreak or genetic contamination