Seed Act, 1976

This 1976 act regulates and controls the quality of seeds of crop varieties sold in Pakistan, and has been substantially amended since, most recently by a 2024 amendment act that restructured its regulatory body — so figures and institutional details here should be checked against the current text. Section 3 establishes the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority, with Sections 3A-3E covering appointment of its Chairperson and members, meetings, committees, and a Board of Governors that oversees it. Section 4 sets out the Authority's powers and functions, and Section 4A establishes its Fund.

Section 5 establishes the Federal Seed Certification Agency (referred to in places as the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department), and Section 9 provides for Provincial Seed Councils. Section 10 lets varieties or species of seed be officially notified, and Section 11 regulates the sale of seeds of those varieties. Sections 12-16 cover registering growers, the Department granting certification, how long registration and certification remain valid, cancellation of certification, and a right of appeal against these decisions.

Sections 17-22 create the enforcement machinery: Seed Analysts, Seed Certification Officers, and Seed Inspectors, along with the inspectors' search and sampling powers and the procedure for testing-laboratory reports. A block of sections added later (22A-22J) expanded the regime considerably, requiring registration or enlisting of plant varieties and hybrids, registration to conduct seed business, registration of seed dealers and seed processing units, registration specifically for genetically modified plant varieties, registration of horticulture nurseries, and a Variety Evaluation Committee.

Section 23 makes violations an offence and provides for penalties, and Section 24 lets a court order forfeiture of seed found in violation; the extracted text does not state the specific fine or imprisonment amounts, so these should be checked in the current official text. Sections 24A-24C provide for appeals to the Authority and specialised Seed Tribunals with defined powers. Section 28A, added in 2024, requires an annual independent performance audit of the Authority.