Latest Seed Laws & Policies Resources

Further comments submitted by the African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). In November, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) hosted stakeholder consultations in Pretoria and Cape Town on the regulations of the Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) and Plant Improvement (PI) Acts. The ACB was quick to accept the invitation to attend both […]

We stand united in our commitment to addressing the pervasive push for the adoption of plant variety protection (PVP) laws in Africa, aligned with the Eurocentric International Union for Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) 1991 model. We continue to declare our unwavering dedication to championing a just and sustainable agricultural future for the […]

Please find here ACB’s comments to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development regarding the recently published Regulations to implement the Plant Improvement Act 2018, and the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, 2018. The Department has taken important steps in these Regulations to ensure that certain groups of farmers are exempt from these corporate […]

For over two decades, and in defence of life and democracy, diverse constituencies in Africa have promoted the rights of small farmers and their seed systems, and have expressed and continue to express concern related to the use and governance of modern biotechnology on the continent. We include smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, hunter/gatherers, indigenous peoples, […]

Regional and continental integration under the auspices of the African Continental Seed Harmonisation (ACSH) initiative and the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA) The African Union Commission (AUC)’s African Seed and Biotechnology Programme is undertaking a process developing Continental Guidelines for the Harmonisation of Seed Regulatory Frameworks in Africa. The ACB was able to access […]

Commentary on South Africa’s Plant Improvement Bill and Plant Breeders’ Rights Bill. Read here.

Seed laws often overlook the vital role of farmer-managed seed systems (FMSS), sidelining smallholder farmers and their locally adapted varieties, which don’t meet formal criteria. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the ACB for smallholder farmers in Africa. The materials are available in several languages and cover a range […]

DUS stands for Distinct, Uniform and Stable. The DUS criteria aims to supply industrial-scale commercial farming systems while smallholder farmers plant seed that is not distinct, uniform or stable. This third factsheet gives more information on this system and the potential impact on smallholder farmers. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the […]

The quality declared seed (QDS) system is part of the formal seed system and also controls seed quality and purity. The QDS has several benefits, including the system being a good employment opportunity for farmers who produce improved seed. It does, however have drawbacks such as the limited access to basic seed for seed multiplication. […]

Seed laws were developed by governments and industry and are used as instruments to replace and undermine the farmer-managed seed system. Learn more about these and other topics in the factsheets produced by the ACB for smallholder farmers in Africa. The materials are available in several languages and cover a range of topics dealing with […]

In the eighth factsheet in the series you can read about plant breeders’ rights, farmers’ right and UPOV 1991. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili For the ninth factsheet click here.

This fourth factsheet in the series about Farmer Seed Systems looks at seeds from the commercial sector and its place in the seed system. English | French | Portuguese | Shona | Swahili To read the next factsheet, click here.