WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2019

PHILIP DU TOIT: Inspection Services, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries KEYWORDS: Seed, cover crop, Plant Improvement Act, SANSOR, Plant Breeders’ Rights Act. JULY 2019 KNOW YOUR SEED FOR COVER CROP PURPOSES

of the seed industry for the benefit of the entire industry, but specifically for the benefit of the farmer. Persons who want to sell seed should be registered in terms of the Plant Improvement Act with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and should comply with the requirements prescribed by the Plant Improvement Act. Seed should therefore only be purchased from a registered seed company/seed vendor that complies with the minimum requirements of the Plant Improvement Act. THE PLANT IMPROVEMENT ACT MAKES PROV I S I ON FOR THE FOL LOWI NG REQUIREMENTS FOR SEED SOLD BY REGISTERED VENDORS: • Maximum content other material.

WHAT DOES THE LAW STIPULATE AND WHAT ARE THE DANGERS FACED BY THE PRODUCER? WHAT IS SEED? Any seed that is planted, whether for cover crop purposes, grazing, seed cultivation or commercial plantings, is considered to be seed in terms of the Plant Improvement Act. WHY IS CONTROL EXERCISED OVER THE SEED INDUSTRY? To maintain the quality of propagation material (seed) and to ensure the usefulness of such products in agriculture. PLANT IMPROVEMENT ACT (NO 53 OF 1976) The objective of the Plant Improvement Act is to implement the orderly functioning