The new seed method has taken a rough road.

The 17th meeting of the standing Committee of the 12th National people's Congress examined and adopted the amendment to the seed Law of the people's Republic of China, which was formally implemented on January 1 this year. This is a big event in the industry! It is also a major event related to the lives of hundreds of millions of farmers!

The revision of the "seed Law" took three years, and the draft revision was publicly solicited for one month, with 1559 participants, and 8022 opinions were submitted, reflecting the new style of "opening the door to remonstrance and listening to public opinion" of the competent department. On behalf of the voices of all sides to express their own views and aspirations, but in the end, it is up to the authorities to make the final decision.

In a nutshell, the new "seed Law" retains the variety approval system for major crops, but reduces the number of approved crops from the original 28 to five types of rice, corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton, and implements a variety registration system for some non-major crops. Two chapters of new variety protection and support policy are added, and the original three chapters of seed production, seed management and seed use are merged into one chapter of seed production and management, and the two chapters of original seed quality and seed administration are merged into one chapter of seed supervision and management.

It is stated in writing that the new "seed Law" embodies three major legislative guiding ideas: first, to encourage innovation and development, to deepen the reform of the seed industry system; second, to promote the streamlining of administration and decentralization, and to give full play to the decisive role of the market; and third, to strengthen the subject responsibility. effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of farmers. These three aspects are both bright spots and difficult points.

The issue of "the retention or abolition of the variety examination and approval system" is the fiercest dispute in the process of revising the seed Law. 88% of the opinions are concentrated here.

On behalf of the official opinion, he advocated "retaining the variety approval system". The basis is that the integrity system of the seed industry market has not yet been fully established, and many seed enterprises do not abide by the rules; most seed enterprises do not have the ability to complete variety tests on their own; seed farmers do not distinguish seeds and are greatly affected by advertising and publicity. If something goes wrong, go to the government. China's seed marketization is still in the early stage of establishment, the rule of law is not perfect, and the number of enterprises and farmers is very large, so it is necessary to carry out prior supervision and technical checks. Although there are some drawbacks in the variety approval system, the functions of "gatekeeping" and "baton" before the seeds enter the market should be emphasized and gradually improved while being retained.

Most enterprises advocate "abolishing the variety approval system". The reason is: as a product of the planned economy era, the variety approval system restricts the independent innovation of enterprises and is not suitable for the development of market economy. The variety approval system has the power to seek rent, the approval time is too long, the approval standard is out of line with the market demand, and the varieties approved may not be popularized properly. It is necessary to understand that the variety examination and approval system is the product of the planned economy and contradicts the market economy; the overall direction of the variety registration system is to adapt to the development of the market economy and will be gradually improved. Long-term consideration should be given to which one gains or loses.