The trade of seeds and fertilisers is set be regulated under a new decision announced on Tuesday by Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water.
The order will help authorities register these products, list down their characteristics and other technical information to enable farmers to choose environmentally safe items. This will help the government to use the data for efficient seed trade.
Unregistered seeds and fertilisers cannot be imported into the UAE. Farms will be required to secure an agricultural activity licence from the Ministry of Environment and Water before they can import and distribute seeds.
For registration purposes, farms should provide a technical description of the product issued by manufacturers for proper classification. The information must include name and address of the company, scientific name, origin of seed production, category (F1 hybrids or non-hybrid seeds), resistance and pest handling, percentage of germination and purity and vitality.
The order prohibits the trade of locally produced seeds and fertilisers for commercial use unless registered at the ministry. Manufacturers must obtain a licence from the ministry before the production and distribution of their products as well as abide by the conditions for breeding and production of seeds and fertilisers.
The law provides for certain exemptions. For instance, companies participating in exhibitions in the UAE can import and display unregistered seeds and fertilisers after meeting specific conditions. Event organisers are required to provide the ministry with a summary of the exhibition, its objectives, duration and venue. They are obliged to ask for permission to import seeds or fertilisers, providing the ministry with information such as the type and quantity of products for each participating company.
Congratulation!