Decree regulates law on the National Seeds and Seedlings System

It was published, this Monday (21), the Decree No. 10.586 / 2020, which regulates Law No. 10.711/2003, which provides for the National Seed and Seedling System (SNSM). The system seeks to guarantee the identity and quality of plant multiplication and reproduction material produced, sold and used throughout the national territory. The new decree is the result of the 2019 Results Agreement of the Agricultural Defense Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa).

The update aimed to adapt the regulation to the reality and dynamics of the production sector, promote modernization and reduce bureaucracy in the regulatory sector, balance the focus between process and final product, improve the certification process of seeds and seedlings, curb production and commercialization of illegal product and ensure guarantees of identity and quality of seeds and seedlings made available in Brazil.

Among the changes, the new decree seeks to promote clear differentiation between the user and the illegal producer of seeds and seedlings, establishing distinct infractions, proportional to their activities. The details on the identification of seeds and seedlings are now covered in complementary standards, which allows different requirements to be established, depending on the groups of species.

The validity of the National Seed and Seedling Registry (Renasem) was extended from three to five years. The National Cultivar Registry (RNC) also now has a validity period of 15 years, extendable while the cultivar is in use.

There were also important changes to the role of the maintainer in the production of genetic seeds and basic plants, provisions for seeds and seedlings for domestic use, expansion of the area declaration for the production of seeds for personal use for all cultivars, whether protected or in the public domain , among others.

The new decree comes into force in 90 days. Until then, documents issued under Decree No. 5.153/2004 will be valid until their expiration date.

As current complementary standards they also remain applicable in all points where they do not contradict the new decree. The main regulations governing the production, commercialization and use of seeds and seedlings will be reviewed in due course, in accordance with the regulatory agenda of the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense.