These Regulations consisting of 31 articles aim at (i) harmonizing phytosanitary measures for seed in the region in order to facilitate the safe movement of seed within Member States, in a transparent manner and without dissemination of any pest of quarantine importance; (ii) ensuring that varieties listed in the COMESA Variety Catalogue and traded among Member States are of high and known quality and that movement of seed is more efficient; (iii) encouraging investment in seed business in the Member States; (iv) increasing access to existing varieties in the Member States; and (v) stimulating the breeding and availability of improved seed varieties resulting in increased variety choices for all farmers. The Regulations provide for the establishment of the following bodies (i) Seed Coordination Unit (art.4) with tasks related to the administration and operation of the system concerning the COMESA Variety Release, Seed Certification and Phytosanitary Measures; (ii) National Plant Protection Organization (art.7) to (a) implement the provisions concerning the Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures for seeds; (b) facilitate the movement of seed; (c) facilitate the implementation of the system in the Member States; (d) ensure that the rules, directions and standards are observed; (e) provide technical capacity building to the seed sector; (f) facilitate the technical reviews of phytosanitary measures; (g) consider and authorize changes for improvement to the rules, directions, and standards in line with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS); (iii) National Seed Authority (art.9) to (a) implement the provisions concerning the Seed Certification and the Variety Release System, including (a) providing capacity building for the private and public seed sector; (b) laboratories accreditation and licensing of inspectors; (c) provide advices to breeders and seed companies; (d) issuing of certificates for each seed lot that has been certified; (e) maintenance of databases of released varieties and seed; (iv) COMESA Seed Committee consisting of representatives of Member States from the Authority, the Organization, private seed sector and other relevant stakeholders to provide technical support. Chapter III concerning the certification system focuses on (i) categorization of seed classes; (ii) label colors for the various seed classes; (iii) content of labels; (iv) parameters and laboratory methodologies to be used for the seed certification. Chapter IV concerning the Variety Release System focuses on (i) variety tests; (ii) denomination; (iii) reference sample to be submitted to the Authorities; (iv) maintenance of the genetic purity; (v) fees; (vi) variety catalogue and database; (vii) registration of both new and existing variety; (viii) rules for the access to the market; (ix) Genetically Modified Variety (that may only be released at the national level and in compliance with national bio-safety regulations); (x) withdrawal of a variety from the Catalogue. Chapter V concerning the quarantine and phytosanitary procedures focuses on (i) import permit; (ii) Phytosanitary certificate to certify that the requirements specified on the Plant Import Permit have been satisfied; (iii) cases for a non-compliance Notification; (iv) re-export Phytosanitary certificate for seeds in transit; (v) Seed Testing Certificate; (vi) declaration to certify the GMO status of a seed consignment; (vii) movement of seeds within Member States that do not need the aforementioned certificates; (viii) controls on quarantines pests either within or out the Members States. The Schedules at the end of the Regulations contain all the forms concerning the aforementioned provisions.
2014-01-01