WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIOIP/N/1/GEO/P/2
15 April 2002
(02-2064)
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property RightsOriginal:  English/
anglais/
inglés
MAIN DEDICATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
LAWS AND REGULATIONS NOTIFIED UNDER
ARTICLE 63.2 OF THE AGREEMENT
GEORGIA
The present document reproduces the text1 of the Law on Permission for Distribution of
Agricultural Crop Varieties, Seeds and Planting Materials, as notified by Georgia under Article 63.2
of the Agreement (see document IP/N/1/GEO1).
Conseil des aspects des droits de propriétéintellectuelle qui touchent au commerce
PRINCIPALES LOIS ET RÉGLEMENTATIONS CONSACRÉES À LA
PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE NOTIFIÉES AU TITRE
DE L'ARTICLE 63:2 DE L'ACCORD
GÉORGIE
Le présent document contient le texte
1 de la Loi sur l'autorisation de la distribution de variétés
agricoles, de semences et de matériel végétal, notifiée par la Géorgie au titre de l'article 63:2 de
l'Accord (voir le document IP/N/1/GEO/1).
Consejo de los Aspectos de los Derechos de PropiedadIntelectual relacionados con el Comercio
PRINCIPALES LEYES Y REGLAMENTOS DEDICADOS A LA
PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL NOTIFICADOS EN VIRTUD
DEL PÁRRAFO 2 DEL ARTÍCULO 63 DEL ACUERDO
GEORGIA
En el presente documento se reproduce el texto
1 de la Ley de autorización para distribuir
materiales para sembrar y plantar variedades de cultivos, notificado por Georgia en virtud del
párrafo 2 del artículo 63 del Acuerdo (véase el documento IP/N/1/GEO/1).
                                                     
1 In English only.  The text in the original language is available for consultation by interested
Delegations at the WTO Secretariat./En anglais seulemen t.  Les délégations intéressées peuvent consulter le
texte dans sa langue d'origine, au Secrétariat de l'OM C./En inglés solamente.  Las delegaciones interesadas
podrán consultar en la Secretaría de la OMC el texto en su idioma original.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 2
LAW OF GEORGIA
On Permission for Distribution of Agricultural
Crop Varieties,  Seeds and Planting Materials
The Law regulates the relations arising at permission for distribution of agricultural crop
varieties, including hybrid varieties; and the production a nd introduction of good quality seed
and planting material in to economic circulation.
CHAPTER I  General Provisions
Article 1. Scope of the Law
This law is applicable to all sowing and planting materials of crop varieties, national and
imported, listed in the Appendi x; intended for the distribu tion, production and introduction
into economic circulation.
Article 2. Legislation of Georgia on Perm ission for Distribution of Agricultural
Crop Varieties, Seeds and Planting Material
Legislation of Georgia on Permission for the Distribution of Agricultural Crop Varieties,
Seeds and Planting Materials consists of the pr esent law and other relevant legislative acts.
Article 3. Definitions of Terms Used in the Law
The terms used in the law have the following meanings:-
          a) Variety  - means a plant grouping which irrespective of legal protectability
contains within a single botanical  taxon of the lowest known rank the
expression of the characteristics resulting from a given genotype orcombination of genotypes distinguished from any other plant grouping by theexpression of at least one of said charact ers; variety is an indivisible unit with
regard to its suitability for being propagated unchanged.
           b) First generation hybrid  - generation produced through crossing genetically
different varieties in the first year.
           c) Distinctness  - a variety is distinct if it is clearly distinguishable from any other
variety whose existence is a matter of  common knowledge at the time of the
filing of the application or, where relevant, at the priority date.
The filing, in any country, of an applica tion for a breeder’s right or for entry in
a catalogue of varieties admitted to trade shall be deemed to render the varietybeing the subject of the applicati on, a matter of common knowledge from the
date of the application, pr ovided that the application leads to a grant of the
breeder’s right or the entry in the catalogue, as the case may be.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 3
Common knowledge may also be establishe d by reference to various factors
such as exploitation of the variety already in progress, entry of the variety inthe register of varieties kept by a recognised professional association orinclusion of the variety in a reference collection.
            d) Uniformity  - a variety is uniform if, subject to the variation that may be
expected from the particular features  of it’s propagation, it is sufficiently
uniform in its relevant characteristics.
             e) Stability  - a variety is stable if its relevant characteristics remain unchanged
after repeated propagation or, in the case  of a particular cycle of propagation,
at the end of each such cycle.
             f) Applicant  – a natural person or legal entity requesting for a permission for the
distribution of a plant variety.
             g) Diploma  - a certificate certifying the recording of a variety in the State
Register of Varieties permitted for distribution in Georgia.
             h) Permission for distribution  - official permission fo r the distribution of a
variety in Georgia.  Recommendations ma y be added regarding the use of the
variety in certain climatic zones of Georgia.
             i) State Register of Varieties Permitted for Distribution in Georgia
(hereinafter – the State Register)  - a list of varieties permitted for
distribution within the territory of Georgia.
j) Value for cultivation and use  - the qualities of the plant variety shall in
comparison with the qualities of other plant varieties included in the GeorgianState Register of Varieties constitute, either generally or as far as production ina specific area is concerned, a benefit either as regards crop farming or the usemade of harvested crops or of produc ts produced from harvested crops.  The
qualities of the plant variety shall, for this purpose, be taken as a whole, andinferiority in respect of certain characteristics may be off-set by otherfavourable characteristics.
k) Legal protectability of a plant variety  -  a plant variety complying with the
requirements defined by th e legislation of Georgia;
l) Breeder – a person, who has bred, discove red or developed a variety.
m) Examination as to formal requirements  – checking the fullness and drawing
up of an application materi al of permission for distri bution of a plant variety,
as well as the integrity of the object described therein
n) Seeds  - seeds of agricultural crops, botanical species of all sowing materials,
fruit trees, berries, decorative flowers, fruits of medicinal plants, parts of
compound fruit, collective fruit.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 4
o) Planting material  means agricultural crop seedlings, vegetative propagating
material, for fruit, berry crops, vines, tea, bulbs and tubers and other sub-
tropical cultures.
p) Variety maintainer  – a natural person or a legal entity entered in the State
Register as being responsible for mainta ining a variety in accordance with the
characteristics on basis of which the variety was recorded in the State Register.
q) Breeder’s seed (Original seed)  - seeds of a generation earlier than that of Pre-
basic seeds (Super-Elite) which have been obtained by a variety maintainer orunder the responsibility of the maintainer by  the other person.
r) Pre-basic seed (Super-elite)  - seeds of a generation earlier than that of Basic
seeds (Elite seeds) which have been obt ained through propagation by the plant
variety maintainer or under his responsibility by the other person.
s) Basic seeds (Elite seeds)  - seeds which have been obtained through
propagation by the plant variety maintainer or under his responsibility  by theother person.
t) Certified Seeds of the First Generation  - seeds obtained by propagation of
the Basic seeds.
u) Certified Seeds of the Second Generation – seeds of plant production or
intended for food obtained by propagation of  Certified Seeds of the First
Generation.
v) Qualitative seeds (sowing material)  - seedlings of perennial crops having a
quality certificate.
w) Seed quality  - main quality specification of the seed (purity, germination,
weight of 1000 seeds, moisture content, seed health) certified by the quality
certificate.
x) Seed health  - the condition of seed and planting material in relation to the
presence of pests and diseases.
y) Field inspection (approbation)  of seed crops  - determining the variety
identity and variety purity of seed crops, certified by the respective certificate.
z) Inspection (approbation)  – determination of the va riety identity and variety
purity of seedlings, parental fruit trees , vines, tea citrus fruits and other
planting material, certified by the respective certificate.
aa) Quality certificate  - official document (certificate) certifying the quality of
the seeds and planting materials.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 5
bb) Results of analysis  - official document certifying the results of laboratory
analysis for determining the quality of the seed and planting material.
cc) Lot of seeds (planting materials)  - any seed (planting material)  quantity of
the same quality certified by a quality certificate.
dd) Introduction into economic circulation  - seeds eligible to be marketed as
prescribed in the seed marketing regulations.
ee) Person having the exclusive right  - a person having the right to use a plant
variety at his discretion on which he has a special certificate of legal
protection; under this certificate the person having the exclusive right may
introduce into economic circulation the plant variety protected by thecertificate, receive income, as well as sell or alienate the certificate.
Article 4. State System of Permission for Distribution of Agricultural Crop
Varieties, Production and Introduction of Selection Seeds and PlantingMaterials into Economic Circulation
The State system of permission for distribution of agricultural crop varieties, production and
introduction of selected seeds and planting materi als into economic circulation consists of the
following agencies under the Ministry of Agri culture and Food (hereinafter – the Ministry):
a) the Inspection of Testing and Prot ecting of Selection Achievements;
b) the Inspection of Quality of Seeds and Planting Materials;
c) the Inspection of Phytosanitary Quarantine;
d) the Centre of Plant Variety Breeders Righ ts Protection of Georgia (hereinafter –
Sakjishtsentri);
e) the Commission of Permission for Di stribution of Plant Varieties.
Article 5: Functions and Duties of Sakjishtsentri
1. Sakjishtsentri is a legal entity governed by the public law, which  ensures legally the plant
breeders rights..
2. Sakjishtsentri takes decision on legal protection of plant vari ety and grants a certificate
confirming the exclusive right.
3. The functions and the duties of Sakjishtsentri are defined by  regulations approved by the
Minister of Agriculture and F ood (hereinafter – the Minister).
4. Sakjishtsentri is headed by the Director of  the Centre, who is appointed or dismissed by
the Minister.
5. The financial sources of Sakjishtsentri are the income received from the fees defined by
the prescribed rule for the following actions:
(a) for the legal protection of plant varieties and for the examination as to formal
requirements of the applicati on of permission for the distri bution of  plant varieties;
(b) for the state testing of plant varieties for DUS and VCU;IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 6
(c) for registration of plant varieties in  the State Register of  Varieties;
(d) for granting of plant variety protectiv e documents (certificate, diploma);
(e) for maintenance of plant variety legal pr otection and of permission for distribution;
(f) for conducting other procedures related to main activities of  Sakjishtsentri;
(g) for information, consultation service and research activities.
6. The income received from the activities of Sak jishtsentri is placed on its account and is
managed by Sakjishtsentri. The amount which wa s not used during the year is transferred
to the account of the following year.
7.  It is admissible to allocate for Sakjishtsentri the finances among them grants from theState budget in respect to the rule  under the legislation of Georgia.
8.   Sakjishtsentri for December 1 of each year prepares the budget of the following year
reflecting all the expenses of Sakjis htsentri and source of its coverage.
9.   Sakjishtsentri grants the diploma of per mission for distribution of plant variety on basis of
the decision on permission for distribution of the plant variety taken by the Minister.
10. The budget of Sakjishtsentri is appr oved by the Director of the Centre.
Article 6:     Functions and Duties of the Commi ssion of Permission for Distribution of
         Plant Varieties
1. The Commission of Permission for Distribution of Plant Varieties is a standing consultative body
established by order of the Minister on public basis.
2. The Commission of Permission for Di stribution of Plant Varieties:
a) receive recommendations on permission for di stribution of plant varieties and submits
      them to the Minister;b) by recommendation of Sakjishtse ntri considers the applica tion materials of permission
      for distribution of plant variety3. The Commission of Permission for Distribution of Plant Varieties is established with the
complement of 20 members half of which are the state officials. The Chairman of theCommission is elected by the Commission members by ballot from those members of theCommission who are not state officials.
Article 7.    Filing of the Application for Legal Protection and Permission for
                    Distribution of Plant Varieties Bred, Discovered or Developed in                    Georgia Abroad
1.  Before filing of an application for legal protection and/or permission   for distribution
     of the plant variety bred, discovered or  developed in Georgia with the respective office
     of the other country, a natural person  or a legal entity is obliged to notify     Sakjishtsentri of the fact in a written statement.
2.   In the case of legal protection and/or per mission for distribution of  the plant variety in
      the other country, the natural person or legal entity is obliged to furnish Sakjishtsentri
      with the copies of the relevant protective document (including the translation in
      Georgian language).IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 7
CHAPTER II   Permission For Distribution Of Agricultural Crop Varieties
Article 8. Legal Regulation of Permission for Distribution of Agricultural Crop
Varieties
The following categories of varieties recommended by the Inspectorate for Testing and
Protecting of Selection Achievements are subject to permission for distribution:-
(a) plant varieties a nd hybrids of local and foreign origin.
(b) plant varieties and hybrids protected  in respect to the Law of Georgia on
Protection of Selection Achievements.
Article 9. Filing of an Application for Perm ission of Plant Varieties for Distribution
1. An application for permission of plant varie ties for distribution is filed by the breeder
of the plant variety or his/her legal successor, or representative.
2. The application for permission of agricu ltural crop varieties for distribution shall
include:-
(a) request of permission for distributi on in which the name, surname and legal
address of the applicant, as well as of the breeder is indicated;
           (b) plant variety descripti on (main morpho-biological, botanical features and
agronomic characteristics of the plant variety);
3. The application within one month from filing with Sakjishtsentri shall be attached
with document confirming the payment of the fee prescribed for the examination as toformal requirements.
4.       The application of permission for distri bution of a plant variety shall be filed in the
            state language, and the other application materials – in any foreign language. In
            the case of submitting the application materials in the foreign language the            applicant within 2 months sha ll furnish the translation into the Georgian language
            certified by notary.
5.       The issues related to the procedure of the examination as to formal requirements
            are regulated by the legislation of Georgia.
6.         The application is filed with  Sakjishtsentri directly or by other means.
Article 10. Requirements Related to the Application of Permission for Distribution of
Plant Variety
1. The application of permission for distributi on of plant varieties sh all be accepted, if:-
(a) the name of the plant variety was agreed with Sakjishtsentri;
(b) the plant variety is different from the known varieties;IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 8
(c) the plant variety is unifo rm in terms of composition;
(d) the plant variety is stable with generations;
            (e) if the species to which the plant variety belongs is entered in the appendix  of
this law.
2. The value for cultivation and use (VCU) of a crop variety shall be determined by
performance testing its agronomic characteristics over successive generations andcomparing its performance with appropriate existing “control” varieties.
Article 11. Testing and Permission of Plant Variety for Distribution
1. Testing a plant variety for distinctness,  uniformity and stability (DUS) is conducted
by the Inspectorate for Testing and Protection of Selection Achievements andgoverned by Georgian Legislation.
2. The DUS tests will be conducte d over two growing seasons (two years) and will be
conducted according to the International Un ion of the Protection of New Varieties of
Plants (UPOV) guidelines.
3. Testing a plant variety for its value for cu ltivation and use (VCU) is conducted in the
relevant soil-climatic areas of Georgia at the stations of the Inspectorate of Testingand Protecting of Selection Achievements  or at locations agreed upon by the
Inspectorate.
4. The recommendation on permission for distribution of a plant variety
shall be taken on basis of VCU state trials data for 2 years, provided
that the state trial is continued for the third year.
5.      For DUS state tests and VCU trials  the applicant shall supply the Inspectorate of
Testing and Protecting of Selection Achi evements the required quantity of seeds
(seedlings) free of charge at a specified address and terms.
6.       If a plant variety according to the state trials in respect to the VCU indices is
            better than a local plant variet y, then the application materials are transferred to
            Sakjishtsentri which shall submit them to the Commission of Permission for            Distribution of Plant Varieties.
7.       The data of plant varieties permitted for distribution on the territory of Georgia are
published in the official issue.
8.       The party concerned is entitled within  3 months from publication of the plant variety
data in the official issue, in respect to the rule defined by this law, submit an appealagainst the VCU criteria for the plant variety permitted for distribution after payingthe prescribed fee.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 9
9.       Sakjishtsentri sends the appeal materials submitted by the party concerned in the
above terms to the applicant and the Inspectorate of Testing the Selection
Achievements, which are entitled to sub mit the written response to Sakjishtsentri
within 2 months.
10.       If the applicant in agreement with the Inspectorate of  Selection Achievements fails to
submit the well-grounded response to Sakjisht sentri, this latter within two months
shall consider the appeal and shall submit it to the Commission of Permission forDistribution the Plant Varieties, which shall take the recommendation on permissionfor distribution of the plant variety.
11.       The permission for distribution of the pl ant variety is entered into the State Register,
and the diploma on permission fo r distribution of the plant variety is granted to the
natural person or the legal entity indicated in the request.
12.       The applicant or his/her successor during the vegetation period of the plant in the
control plots is entitled to inspect on DUS and VCU, observe the state trial procedureof the plant variety presented by  him for distribution permission.
13.      On basis of the State Register Sakjisht sentri publishes annually the List of Agricultural
Crop Varieties Permitted for Distribution in Georgia, which is an official issue andcontains main agronomic char acteristics, morpho-biological  and botanical features of
each plant variety.
14.       The results of the DUS and VCU tests of  a plant variety shall be made available to the
applicant, his successor or his authorised representative.
15.      The VCU state trial results for all candidate varieties shall be made available to the
Commission of Permission for Distribution of Plant Variety, the National Seed
            Advisory Council (NSAC) and with consent of the applicant is published in the
            official issue.
Article 12. Termination of Permission  for the Distribution of a Variety
1. The permission for the distribution of  a variety shall be terminated if:-
(a) a variety fails to retain its distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS).
            (b) the maintainer fails to s upply seeds (seedlings) for a repeat set of VCU trials,
which shall be conduc ted every 8-9 years.
(c) the approved name of a variety is  cancelled without giving a new one.
           (d) if the annual fee fo r permission for distribution is not paid.
           (e) if termina tion of permission for the distributi on is requested by the maintainer.
           (f) the maintainer is no longer willing to maintain the variety.           (g) a variety is found to  be harmful to human beings and animals.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 10
2. In the cases provided for by the paragraph 1 of this Article the data on termination
of the permission for distribution of a pl ant variety on the territory of Georgia
shall be published in the official issue. The party concerned may within 3 monthsafter publication of these data in the official issue present at Sakjishtsentri a well-grounded claim on necessity of maintainin g the permission for distribution of the
plant variety, provided that the defined f ee is paid; otherwise, the termination of
the permission for distribution of the vari ety is entered in the State Register by
special record.
Article 13. Administrative Liabilities, Decisions and Publications
1. Sakjishtsentri shall be responsible for:
a) receiving applications for the legal protection of the candidate varieties,
considering the applications, taking de cisions and issuing relevant documents;
b) receiving applications of permission for distribution of the candidate varieties,
considering the applications a nd issuing relevant documents.
2. Before taking the decision on legal protecti on of the plant variety and permission for
distribution, and before issuing the relevant  documents, in the case of paying the fee
defined by this Law, Skajishtsentri publishes the data of such varieties in the official
issue and with the purpose of familiarisation lays the application materials open.
3. Sakjishtsentri shall publis h annually the List of Pl ant Varieties Permitted for
Distribution in Georgia.
4. Sakjishtsentri in agreement with the applicant published the results of the state trials
in the Bulletin of Skajishtsentri.
5. With the purpose of seed breeding optimis ation and ensuring of publicity by the
order of the Minister the National Seed s Council is established as an advisory
body.
6. The statute of the National Seeds Council,  composition and agenda is defined and
approved by the Minister.
7. The National Seeds Council includes in equal quantity the officials of the Ministry,
representatives of non-governmental or ganisations and in private sector.
8. The Inspectorate of Testing and Selection Achievements is obliged to maintain the
collection of reference samples of all varieties permitted for distribution.
Article I4. Procedure of Repeated Examination
1. The recommendation of Sakjishtsentri or  of the Commission of Permission for
Distribution of Plant Varietie s on conducting of the repeated examination is furnished
to the Ministry.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 11
2. In order to take decision in each separa te case under the order of the Minister the
Experts' Council containing th ree members is established.
3.  The Chairman of the Experts'Counc il is appointed by the Minister.
4.  The Experts' Council defined its ag enda and procedure independently.
5. One member of the Experts' Council three members shall be a le gal specialist, and
two specialists in agriculture.
6. The Experts' Council Shall not  contain the st ate officials.
7. The claim submitted at the Experts' Counc il shall be considered after paying the
prescribed fee.
8. The Experts' Council takes its decision in the form of a written statement. If the
decision is not taken the claim is considered by the court.
9. The decisions of the Experts' Council are kept in respect to the prescribed rule.
CHAPTER III   Legal Protection of Seeds a nd Planting Materials Quality
Article 15. Assessment of Seeds and Planting Materials Quality
1. The quality of seed and planting material s shall be assessed by the Inspection of
Seeds and Planting Materials Quality (hereinafter - Quality Inspection).
2. The quality of seed and planting materials shall be assessed through determination of
quality indicators of seeds (seedlings) and compliance thereof with the standardsprescribed in the seeds marketing regulations.
3. The following shall be attached for the purpose of assessing the quality of seed and
planting materials:-
a) field inspection (appr obation) certificate.
b) document certifying that the specified fee rate for assessing the quality hasbeen paid.
4. A Quality certificate is issued for seeds and planting materials complying with the
standards prescribed in the seeds marketing regulations.
5. The period of validity of the quality certificate shall begin from the day of completion
of testing, the period of validity is determined in accordance with the seeds marketingregulations.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 12
6. For the seeds and planting materials which do not satisfy the standards defined by the
seeds marketing regulations an official doc ument – Results of Analysis is issued.
7. The data of seeds and planting materials quality are presented to the applicant or
his/her authorised representative.  Presentin g such data to other persons is prohibited.
CHAPTER IV  Production and Introduction into  Economic Circula tion of Seeds
and Planting Materials
Article 16. Introduction into Economic Circulation of S eeds and Planting Materials
1. Introduction into economic circulation of seed and planting materials is permitted if:-
           a) a variety related to seeds or planting materials is entered in the State Register;
           b) seeds and planting material s certified by a quality certificate and permission
owned by the person having exclusive rights to the variety.
Article 17. The Obligations of Producer of Seeds and Planting Materials
1. The producer of seeds and planting material s (hereinafter - producer) shall keep the
following records:-
a) on the volume of production of seeds and planting materials;
            b) all field and seed quality in spection (approbation) reports for each lot of seeds
intended for economic circulation.
2. The producer shall keep the documents  listed in this article for 3 years.
Article 18. Field Inspection (Approbation) of Planted Seed Crops Intended for      
Producing Seeds
The rules of field inspection (approbation) of planted seed crops and perennial crops intended
for producing seeds are approved by the Ministry.
Article 19. Conditions for Introduction into Economic Circulation of Seeds and Plant
Materials
1. Seeds and Planting materials introduced into economic circulation shall comply with
basic seeds (Elite seed), certified seed of the first generation or certified seed of thesecond generation; and planting materi al - first or second quality degree.
2. Seeds and planting materials introduced into  economic circulation shall be certified
by:-
           a) list of agricultural crop varieties permitted for distribution in Georgia,
indicating the variety related to the seed or planting material.
           b) permission of the person ha ving special rights to use the variety (if the
producer is not the owner of the variety).IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 13
           c) phytosanitary certificate (if imported or exported).
           d) quality certificate (before the expiry date).           e) label in case of trans portation in containers intended for importation -
exportation of seeds and planting materials; identity documents in case oftransportation without containers.
Article 20. Label and Container for Seeds and Planting Materials
1. The data indicated on the label of the cont ainer for seeds and planting materials shall
comply with the data indicated in the quality certificate.
2. The container for seeds and planting materials treated with chemical and biological
preparations shall bear a duly made noti ce.  The instructions describing the
preparations used for treatment of the seeds and the rules of treatment of such
preparations shall be attached to the container.
3. Chemical preparations that are used shoul d be included in the relevant catalogue of
products permitted for use in Georgia,  and approved by the inspection for
phytosanitary quarantine.
Article 21. Responsibility for Seeds and Planting Materials Introduced into
Economic circulation
1. Disputes over the introduction of seed s and planting materials into economic
circulation shall be c onsidered by the court.
2. Forgery of documents accompanying seeds and planting materials introduced into
economic circulation or a dvertising false information shall be prosecuted in
accordance with the current legislation.
Article 22. Exportation of S eed and Planting Materials
1. Seed and planting materials intended for exportation shall be certified in Georgia by
the following documents:-
a) quality certificate
b) phytosanitary certificate
Article 23. Importation of S eed and Planting Materials
1. Importation of seed and planting materials in to Georgia of those varieties not included
in the State Register, is allowed by th e Minister’s order under conditions of an
emergency.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 14
2. Imported seed and planting material s intended for introduction into economic
circulation shall be ce rtified by the documents issued in the country of origin and in
Georgia:-
a) quality certificate;
b) phytosanitary certificate.
3. Importation of seed and planting material s intended for scientific selection and
exhibition purposes into Georgia shall be allowed at the request of the relevant
organisation of the other c ountry, provided that written no tification has been received
by the Ministry.
4. Introduction of seed and planting materials into economic circulation from scientific
selection and display at exhibition shall be deemed as a violation of the rules
established by this law and is prosecu ted according to Georgian legislation.
Article 24. Transit and Re-export of  Seed and Planting Materials
1. The seed and planting materials importe d into Georgia for the purpose of re-
exportation shall be certified by the following documents:-
a) phytosanitary certificate issued in the country of origin and in Georgia.
b) quality certificate issued in the country of origin.c) an import permit, if required, by the country receiving the seed.
2. The transit of seed and plant material within the territory of Georgia is regulated by
the legislation of Georgia.
3. Introduction of seed and planting materi als intended for re-ex portation and transit
shall be deemed as a violation of the rule s established by this law and is prosecuted
under the legislation of Georgia.
Article 25. Genetic Resources of the Crop Plants in Georgia
The Georgian Co-ordination Centre for Protection and Use of the Genetic Fund of
Agricultural Crops, scientific research institutes, Inspectorate for Testing and Protecting ofSelection Achievements are charged with or ganisation of preservation and protection of
genetic resources of the crop plants of Georgia.
Article 26. Responsibili ty for Law Violations
The responsibility for violation of this Law is defined by the legislation of Georgia.IP/N/1/GEO/P/2
Page 15
CHAPTER V Final and Transitional Provisions
Article 27. Transiti onal Provisions
1. Oblige the executive bodies of Georgia to ha rmonise the normative acts being in breach
in respect to this Law.
2. Oblige the Ministry of Agriculture and Food by  the rule prescribed by the legislation
approve the regulations on payment of the fee prescribed by this Law.
Article 28.       Entry into force
This law shall enter into force at the moment of publication.
                                             June 25, 1999.
__________