THE SEEDS ACT, 2003
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section Title
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title and commencement.
2 Interpretation.
PART II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL SEEDS COMMITTEE
3. Establishment of the National Seeds Committee.
4. Committee membership.
5. Functions of the Committee.
6. Meeting of the Committee.
7. Establishment of the Sub-Committee.
8. Appointment of other staff.
9. Issuance of Permit.
10. Establishment of the Seed Certification Institute.
11. Delegation of Powers of the Minister.12. Minister to make orders.
PART III
IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION, AND SALES OF SEEDS
13. Condition for Importation, Exportation and Sale of seeds.
14. Restriction on sale importation or exportation of seeds.
PART IV
REGISTRATION OF SEEDS DEALERS
15. Registration of seeds dealers.
16. Issuance of certificate of registration.17. Cancellation of certificate of registration.
18. Appeals.
19. Prohibition.
20. Duty to keep records.
21. Approval and listing of varieties.
12003 Seeds No. 18 2
22. Powers of Inspectors.
23. Obstruction of Inspectors.24. Analysis of a sample.25. Tempering with samples.
PART V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
26. Offences and Penalties.
27. Offences by a body corporate or firm.28. Evidence.
29. Limitation.
30. Indemnity.
31. Exempted sales.
32. Repeal and Savings.33. Power to make regulations.
SCHEDULE 
Seeds 2003 No. 18 4
and identity to provide a source for the in itial and recurring increase of seeds;or
if of foreign origin, that the seed is  certified by a reco gnised certification
agency or by the Chief Seed Quality Controller as being of basic grade;
''breeders grade'' means approved seed of a variety that has been produced
by the breeder responsible for breeding and maintanance of that
variety under condition which ensure that the specific characteristics
of the variety are mantained and which provide the source for the
initial land recurent increases of seeds of the pedigree grades; or if
of foreign origin, that the seed is certified by a recognised certification
agency as being of breeders grade;
''Certification Agency'' means an agency appointed by the Minister
pursuant to section 10;
''certified grade'' means the approved progeny of breeder, foundation,
registered or certified seed managed to mantain satisfactory genetic
identity and purity the production of which is supervised and
approved by the Institute and which provides the source of the initial
and recurring increase of seeds; or if of foreign origin, that the seed
is certified by a recognised certification agency or by the Chief
Quality Controller as being of certified grade;
''Committee'' means the National Seed Committee established under
section 3 of this Act;
"class name'' includes any mark, description or designation of a class;
''inspector'' means a person appointed or designated as an inspector
pursuant to section 8;
''Director'' means a person responsible for Agricultural Development;
''label'' includes any legend, word, mark, symbol or design applied or
attached to, included in, belonging to or accompanying any seed or
package;
''Minister'' means the Minister responsible for agriculture;
"noxious weed seed'' means any seed potentially injurious to agriculture
so declared by the Minister by notice published in the Gazette to be
noxious weed seed for the purposes of this Act;
''package'' includes a sack, bag, barrel, case or any other container in
which seed is placed or packed;
"place'' includes any building, vehicle, vessel, railway, car or aircraft;
"person'' includes an individual, corporation, society, association,
enterprise, trustee, receiver,  or any other institution;
''Quality  Declared  Seed''  means  seed   produced by a registered
smallholder farmer whic h conforms to the specified standards for crop4 2003No. 18 2003 5 Seeds
species concerned and which has been subject to the quality control
I measures prescribed in the regulations to be made under this Act;
''Recognised Certification Agency'' means a registered certification
agency of a country, which is a member to an International Seed
Organization to which Tanzania is also a member or an official seed
certification agen cy from a country, whose se ed quality standards have
been approved by the Director to be similar or higher than those
prescribed under this Act or Regulations;
''standard seed''  means emergency seed authorized for use by the
Minister;
''seed'' means that part of plant which is or is intended to be used for
propagation and includes any true seed, any vegetative material
including seedling, corm, cutting, bulb, bulbil, layer, marcott, root,
runner, scion, set, split, stem, stock, stump, sucker or tuber so used or
intended to be so used;
"seed dealer'' include importers, expo rters, processors, producers, sellers
and distributors of seeds and owners of seed testing laboratories or
any other person dealing with seed under this Act;
"sell'' includes sell, offer for sell expose for sell, have in possesion for
sale, and distribution or give away;
''Subcommittee'' means the Seed Sub-Committee established under
section 7;
''Tanzania Pedigree Class'' means a class that contains one of the words
''Breeders'', ''Basic'', ''Certified 1 '' , ''Certified 2'', where 1 means first
generation 2 means second generation;
''Variety'' means plant variety.
''weed seed'' means any plant injurious to agriculture, which is declared
to be so by the Minister for the purpose of the Plant Protection Act.
PART II
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL SEEDS COMMITTEE
3. There is hereby established a technical Committee to be known as
the National Seeds Committee.Establi-
shment
of the
Seeds
commi-
ttee2003 No. 18 6 Seeds
4.-(l) The National  Seeds  Commitee shall be composed of the Commi-
following members- ttee
Member-(a) the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry for the time being
shipresponsible for agriculture who shall be the chairperson of
the committee;
(b) the officer responsible for co-ordination and supervision of
the seeds industry in the Ministry and shall be the secretaryto the Committee;
(c) the head of the division in the Ministry for the time being
responsible for crop research;
(d) the head of the division in the Ministry for the time being
responsible for crop development;
(e)  the Chief Seed Quality Controller; and(f)  the Registrar of Plant Varieties.
(2) The Minister shall appoint the following to be members of the
National Seeds Committee-
(a) a representative from the Tanzania Seed Trade Association;
(b) a representative from higher learning institution responsible
for agriculture; and
(c) a representative from seed consumers'association;''
(3) The Chairperson of the Committee may after consultation with
members co-op other members, to attend and speak on any matter at
any meeting of the Committee, but a person so co-opted shall not havethe right to vote.
5.-(1) The National Seeds Committee shall be a Stakeholders' Forum
responsible for advising the Government on all matters relating to the
Functions
of the
Committeedevelopment of the Tanzania seed industry.'';
(2) Without prejedice to  the generality of subs ection (1), the functions
of the National Seeds Committee shall include: -
(a) to advise the Ministry on formulation and implementation of
the seed industry policy and implementation of guidelines;
(b) to advise the Ministry on the implementation and amendment
of the seeds legislation;
(c) to advise the Minister on all matters relating to seeds;
(d) to give general advice in the co-ordination and supervision
of the seed  industry;
(e) to advise the Minister on approval of plant varieties.No. 18 2003 7 Seeds
6. The Committee shall regulate its ow n procedures of conducting its   Meetings
of themeetings.
Committee
7. The National Seeds Committee may, for the purpose of effective    Establish-
implementation of the functions of the Committee establish such number    ment of
Sub-of sub-Committees to perform sp ecific functions as it may deem
necessary.Committees
8.-(1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, appoint   Appoint-
or designate, from time to time, qualified persons to be Inspectors and   ment of
analysts who shall have and exercise powers generally respecting seeds   other
staffin accordance with the prov isions of this Act or as may be prescribed.
(2) The Director or any other person appointed by him shall be the
Chief Seed Quality Controller and the head of the national seed qualitycontrol service.
(3) Every person appointed or designated as Chief Quality Controller,
analyst or Inspector under sub-section (1) shall be given a certificate,
identity card or a document as a proof of his appointment or designation
which shall be produced on entering any place in the exercise of hispowers under this Act.
(4) The Chief Seed Quality Controller may permit an analyst to
perform internal seed quality control for a private specified producer,
processor, seller or as the case may be, distributor of seed.
(5) No  person  shall,  while  holding the office of Seed Quality
Controller, Inspector, or Analyst engage in any business connected withthe production, processing, sale or importation of seed.
9. The Chief Seed Quality Controller may permit a private specified
producer, processor, seller or distributor to employ an analyst appointed
under section 8 to effect the internal seed quality control. Issuance
of
permits
Establish-10.-(1) There is hereby established a body cooperate to be known as
ment ofthe Tanzania Official Seeds Certific ation Institute (TOSCI), which shall-Seed(a) have perpetual succession and a common seal;
(b) be capable of entering into contracts in its own name;Certifi-
cation
Institute2003 8  No. 18 Seeds
(c) be capable of purchasing or acquiring any movable and
immovable property.
(2) Any proceedings against the Institute in contract may only be
instituted by or against the Govern ment in accordance with the
Government Proceedings Act, 1967.
(3) The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect
as to the constitution, tenure of office, management and proceedings ofand other matters relating to the Governing Council of the Institute.
Delega-  11.-(1) The  Minister   may,   with  the   exception of his power of
tion of    delegation, assign or delegate some or all of his powers under this Act to
powersany competent institution or individual.of the
Minister
(2) Every assignment or delegation shall be revocable at will, and no
delegation shall prevent the exercise of any power by the Minister.
(3) In exercising the powers of de legation, assignment or appointment,
the Minister may enter into contracts with competent institutions or
individuals  under  such terms and conditions as the Minister may
determine.
12. The Minister may make orders: Minister
(a) prescribing the varieties of the seeds of which may be sold in to make
orders Tanzania or imported into Tanzania;
(b) classifying the species of plants the seeds of which he deems
are weed seeds or noxious seed weed in relation to seedclasses under this Act;
(c) in respect of the detention of anything seized or placed under
stop  sale  under  the  provisions  of this Act and for the
preservation or safeguarding anything so detained;
(d) in  respect of the disposition of anything forfeited to the
Government under this Act.Seeds 2003 9 No. 18
PART III
IMPORTATION, EXPORTATION AND SALES OF SEEDS
13.-(1) Any person, who intends to d eal with importation, exportation,
production, processing, distribution, sale or advertisement for sale of
seeds  shall obtain a permit from the Director or any other person
authorized by the Director in that behalfCondi-
tion for
impor-
tation,
expor-
tation and
sale of
seeds
(2) The Director shall, before granting the permit or licence required
under  subsection(l)  ensure  that the standards and conditions for
importation, production, processing, distribution sale or advertisementfor sale of seeds, as provided for in the Plant Protection Act and in this
Act, have been complied with.Act
No.13 of
1997
(3) The Minister shall for the purpose of this Act, prescribe the plant
varieties and standards of the seed s for importation, exportation, production,
processing and distribution.
(4) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with a provision
of this section, Orders or Regulations made under this Act in respect of
matters specified in this section, commits an offence.
14.-(1) Any person who -
(a) sells,  import,  exports   any   seed under a grade name or  
designation so closely resembling a grade name prescribed  
under  the provision of this Act as likely to be mistakentherefor; or
(b) applies, to any seed or package containing seed, a grade name
prescribed under the provision of this Act as likely to be
mistaken therefor,
shall have the duty to ensure that, the seed meets the requirement
prescribed for the grade and is marked, packed and labelled as required
by Regulations or Orders made under this Act.
(2) The Minister may prescribe classes of seeds which shall be
exempted from the requirements of subsection (1).
(3) Any person, who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1),
commits an offence.Restri-
ction onsale,importa-tion orexporta-tion of 
seedsSeeds 2003 No. 18 10
PART IV
REGISTRATION OF SEEDS DEALERS
15.-(1) Any seed importer, exporter, producer, processor, distributor
or seller shall, before operating, register with the Director or any other
person appointed by him in that behalfRegistra-
tion of
seeds
dealers
(2) Any owner or operator of a seed processing factory or seed testing
laboratory shall be required to obtain registration of his factory or
laboratory from the Director.
(3) Every application for registration under subsection (1) shall be,
submitted  to  the  Director  in the prescribed manner and shall be
accompanied by the prescribed registration fee.
(4) The Director may, after receiving an application for registration-
(a) grant registration if he is satisfied with the contents of
application;  or
(b) refuse an application.
16.-(l) The Director shall after granting the registration, issue a Issuance
certificate of registration to a seed dealer subject to such terms and of
certificate     conditions as may be dete rmined by the Minister.
of
registra-
tion (2) A registration certificate granted shall be conspicuously displayed
on the business premises of a registered seed dealer.
17.-(l) The Director may, if he is satisfied that any conditions subject
to which a seed dealer was registered have not been complied with,
cancel the certificate of regist ration issued to a seed dealer.Cancella-
(2) The Director shall not cancel the registration of a seed dealer
under this section unless the dealer has been given an opportunity to
show cause as to why the registration should not be cancelled.
18. Any person who is not satisfied by the decision of the Director for
refusal of registration, cancellation of registration or permit under theprovisions of this Act may, within thirty days appeal to the Minister
whose decision shall be final.Appealstion of 
certificate 
of 
registra-
tionNo. 18 2003 11 Seeds
19.-(1) No person shall- Prohibi-.(a) import, export, produce, process, distribute or sell seeds unless 
he is registered as such under this Act; or
(b) test, process or multiply seeds otherwise than in a registered
laboratory seed processing factory or, as the case may be, a
seed multiplication farm.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), nothing in this Act shall, be
construed as preventing the sale of quality declared seeds as such to a
neighbour fanner, whereby such seeds are grown by a smallholder fanner
for use as seeds in his own farm.
(3) Where a registered Seed Dealer contracts any person to import,
export, produce, process, distribute or sell seeds, that person shall be
bound by the terms and conditions provided for under this Act.
20.-(1)  Every  producer,  processor,  seller  or distributor of seeds shall 
have  the  duty  to  keep within his premises, detailed records, by lot, of  
seed produced, purchased, sold, tested, and labelled or treated as the
case may be and such records shall be provided to the Inspector whenever
requested.
(2) Any person who contravenes the pr ovisions of this section, commits
an offence and is liable on convictio n to a fine not ex ceeding one million
shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or
to both such fine and imprisonment.
21.-(l) The  Minister  shall  upon  advice by the National. Seeds   Approval
Committee approve any new plant variety. and
listing of
varieties(2) The Director shall establish and maintain a national catalogue of
approved plant varieties and shall cause to be entered therein varieties
imported, sold or distributed in Tanzania.
(3) Subject to the recommendations of the National Seeds Committee,
the Director shall publish in the Gazette the seed varietties entered in
the national catalogue.
22.-(l) Any Inspector may, at any reasonable time, enter any place
where he reasonably believes there is any seed to which this Act appliestion
Duty to 
keeps
records
Re- 
consider-ation of dispute by the PublicServiceJointPowers ofStaffInspectorsCouncil Seeds 2003 12 No. 18
and may open any package found therein that he has reasons to believe
contains such seed and may sample the same for the purpose of ensuring
that the provisions of this Act, or of any regulations or orders made
under this Act are being complied with.
(2) An Inspector may, for the purposes of securing compliance with
the provisions of this Act or of any Regulations or Orders made under
this Act or for the purposes of de tecting and establishing any breach of
any such provisions -
(a) conduct field inspection and or take samples of any seed found
in any package or place and sub mit such samples to the official
seeds testing laboratory for testing; or
(b) require any person to produce for inspection or for the purpose
of obtaining copies thereof or extracts therefrom, any books,
shipping bills, bills of lading or other documents or papers
relating to any seed to which this Act applies.
(3) The owner or person in charge of any premises described under
this section and every person found therein, shall give to an Inspector all
reasonable assistance in his power to enable the Inspector to carry out
his duties and functions under this Act.
(4) An Inspector may if he has reasonable grounds, that any of the
provisions of this Act, or Regulations or Orders made under this Act
has been violated, seize, issue or stop sale of the seeds or package by
means of or in relation to which the violation was committed.
Provided that, any seeds or package seized or placed under stop sale
pursuant to this subsection shall not be detained after-
(a) the provisions of this Act and the regulations and orders have,
in the opinion of the Inspector, been complied with; or
(b) the expiration of three months from the day of seizure or stop
sale, unless before that date proceedings have been instituted
in respect of the violation, in which event the seeds or package
may be detained until the proceedings are finally concluded.
(5) An Inspector shall before inspection of the premises, take such
steps as are reasonably practical to  afford the owner of any seeds an
opportunity to be present while an inspection under this Act is being
carried out.Seeds No. 18 2003 13
Obstru- 23. Any person, being the owner or person entrusted with the charge
ction of and custody of any seed lot who-
Inspec-(a) refuses to allow the Inspector to take a sample of the seedtorsfrom any premises which he is authorised under this Act to
take a sample, or who otherwise wilfully delays or obstructsthe Inspector; or
(b) wilfully makes false or misleading statement either verbally
or in writing to the Inspector or other official engaged in
carrying out his duties or functions under this Act;
commits an offence.
24. An analyst, who receives a sample taken under the provisions of   Analysis
of athis Act from an Inspector, shall as  soon as is practicable analyse the
same, and shall give a report in the prescribed form specifying the result
of the analysis.sample
Tempe- 25. Any person, who fraudulently tampers or interferes with any seed
lot that any sample of it is taken or  submitted for analysis under this Act
does not correctly represent the s eed lot, or fraudulently tampers or
interferes with any sample taken or su bmitted for analysis under this
Act, commits an offence.ring with
samples
PART V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
26.-(1) Any person,  who  contravenes  a  provision of this Actor of any 
subsidiary legislation made under this  Act, commits an offence and shall,
Penaltiesexcept as otherwise provided, be liable on conviction to a fine of not
less than one million shillings but no t exceeding five million shillings or
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both such fine
and imprisonment.
(2) The court may in addition to any penalty imposed under this Act,
order any article in respect of which such offence has been committed
or which has been used for the commissi on of such offence to be forfeited.
(3) The Minister shall be responsible for the disposal of anything
forfeited to the Government under subsection (2).Offences 
and2003 14 No. 18 Seeds
(4) Where an offence has been committed and by reason of that
commission a person has suffered a di rect damage or loss of his property,
the court may, in addition to the penalty provided for under subsection
(1), order the offender to compensate the person who has suffered such
loss or damage.
(5) The court may in the case of a persistent offender, order, in addition
to penalties provided for under this sectio n, the withdrawal of any permit
or, certificate of registration or any other right held by the offender under
this Act.
27.-(1) Any act which if done by an individual would be an offence
against this Act or any regulations or orders made under this Act shall, if
done by a body corporate, be an offence by every Director, Secretary
and Manager thereof unless he proves that the offence was committed
without his consent or connivance and that he exercised all such diligence
to prevent the commission of the of fence as he ought to have exercised
having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to allcircumstances.Offences
by a
body
corporate
or firm
(2) Where an offence against this Act or any regulations or orders
made under this Act has been committed by a partner in a firm, everyperson who at the time of the commi ssion of the offe nce was partner in
that firm, or was purporting to act in that capacity, shall be deemed tohave committed that offence unless he proves that the offence was
committed without his consent and or connivance and he exercised all
such diligence to prevent the commission of the offence as he ought to
have exercised having regard to the natu re of his functions in that capacity
and to all the circumstances.
28.-(l) Any document purporting to be a report under the hand of an
analyst appointed under the provisions of this Act, on any sample dulysubmitted to him for analysis and report, may be admitted in evidence inany civil or criminal proceedings relating to the seed sampled withoutfurther proof, and shall be sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein
unless the defendant or person charged requires that the analyst be called
as a witness.Evidence
(2) Where the defendant or person charged requires that the analyst
be called as a witness he shall pay any reasonable costs incurred by such
analyst in attending the trial.15 2003 No. 18 Seeds
(3) Any sample which has been taken in the prescribed manner by an
Inspector shall, unless proved otherwise be deemed to be of the same
composition, to have the same qualities and to possess in all other respects
the same properties of the seed lot from which it was drawn.
29. No proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act or under    Limita-
any subsidiary legislation made under this Act shall be instituted after    tion
the expiry of two years from the date when the subject matter of the
proceedings arose, if the offence is a misrepresentation of the plant variety
name or purity of the plant variety.
30. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 284A of the Penal
Code, no matter done by any person exercising or purporting to exercise
any function under this Act or under any subsidiary legislation made
under this Act shall, if done in good faith in the execution or purportedexecution of the functions under any of the provisions of this Act or
such subsidiary legislatio n, subject any such person  to any action liability,
claim or demand whatsoever.Indemnity
Cap. 16
31.-(l) The provisions of this Act shall not apply to a sale, offer or
exposure for sell, where such sale is made by a bailiff, court broker orother officer in the course of executing any order or process of a court.Exempted
sales
(2) The term ''sell'' under sub-section (1) shall not be construed to
mean selling of seeds or anything, whic h otherwise does not meet quality
standards prescribed under this Act or Regulations made under this Act.
32.-(l) Subject  to  the  provisions  of  subsection  (2), the Seed
(Regulations of Standards) Act, 1973, is hereby repealed.Repeal
and
savings
Act,No.29
(2) Notwithstanding subs ection (1), any applicab le Regulations, Rules,
Order or Notice made under the Seed (Regulation of Standards) Act,
1973, shall remain in force until such time as it is revoked cancelled or
replaced.of 1973
33.-(l) The Minister may, after cons ultation with the Committee, make
regulations for the better carrying into effect of the provisions of this
Act.Power to
make
regula-
tions33.-(l) The Minister may, after co nsultation with the Committee, make
regulations for the better carrying into effect of the provisions of this
Act.16 No. 18 Seeds 2003
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister
may make regulations -
(a) prescribing  various  forms  to  be applied under various
provisions of this Act;
(b) prescribing the manner in which -
(i) returns and information shall be rendered or furnished;
(ii) seeds intended for sale shall be packed, labelled, marked
and sealed, and the manner in which seeds may be
advertised or exposed for sale;
(iii) seed samples are to be taken and dealt with;
(c) prescribing the methods by which analyses are to be carried
out by analysts under the provisions of this Act;
(d) prescribing the terms and conditions and the manner in which
seed may be inspected, classified and tested;
(e) prescribing  the  minimum  field  and seed standards for
breeders', basic, certified 1, ce rtified 2, quality declared seed
and also seed standards for standard seed class;
(f) prescribing standards for a se ed testing laboratory, processing
factory, seed warehouses, seed selling or distribution points
shops;
(g) prescribing  procedures  for the establishment of quality
declared seed production;
(h) respecting the fees that may be charged for any services
rendered under this Act;
(i)  generally   prescribing  anything  which  requires  to  be
prescribed under this Act.
(3) The Minister may restrict the application of any of the regulations
made under the provisions of subsection (1) to specialised areas or to
any group or groups of people or premises.
(4) Regulations made under this section may provide for penalties for
the breach thereof not in excess of the penalties mentioned in this Act.
(5) All regulations made under this section shall be published in the
Government Gazette.2003 1617 2003 No. 18 Seeds
SCHEDULE
(under section 10)
CONSTITUTION, FUNCTIONS AND MANAGEMENT
OF THE SEED CERTIF CATION INSTITUTE
1. The power to carry out the functions a nd management of the business and affairs
of the Institute shall be vested in the Institute's Management Committee.Manage-
ment of the
Agency
Constituion2.-(1) The Management Committee of the In stitute shall comprise of the followingof themembers-Manage-
(a) one member from the Crop Devel opment Division of the Ministry of ment
Agriculture responsible for seed issues; Committee
(b) the Head of the National Post-entry Plant Quarantine Station;
(c) one member from the Reseach and Development Division of the Ministry
of Agriculture, responsible for biotechnology issues;
(d) the Chief Seed Certification Officer w ho is the head of the Tanzania Official
Seed Certification Institute.
(2) The Minister shall appoint the Chai rperson of the Management Committee and
one member from the Tanzania Seed Trade Association to be  a member of the Management
Committee:
3. Members of the Management  Committee shall hold office for a period of three   The Term of
years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
4.-(1) Three members of the Management  Committee shall cons titute a quorum at
any meeting and all decisions to be arrived at by the Management Committee shall be
decided by a simple majority of the members present.
(2) Each member of the Management Comm ittee shall have one vote and in the event
of equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote
in addition to his deliberative vote.
5. Minutes in proper form of  each meeting of the Mana gement Committee have to be
property kept and shall be confirmed by the Management Committee at its next sitting
and signed by the Chai rperson of the meeting.
6. The Management Committee shall have power  to regulate its procedures in respect
of meetings and proper conduct of its business.
7.-(1) The Institute shall have the following duties:
(a) to conduct seed field inspections;
(b) to effect sampling and testing;the manage-
ment 
Commi-tteeMembersQuorum
Minutes of 
Manage-
mentCommittee
Procedures 
Functions of 
the Institution 18 No. 18 2003 Seeds
(c) to conduct seed inspections;
(d) to accredit seed sampling and seed testing laboratories;
to charge fees or othe rwise generate revenue fro m the services rendered;
to ensure that the revenue accruing  from the fees or any other charge(e)
(f)
guarantees sustainable and quality services;
to train seed producers, seed  inspectors and seed analysts;
to liaise with other International Orga nizations such as the International
Seed Testing Association (IST A) on seed related issues;
to carry out variety performance tests; and(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)       to carry out pre and post control tests.
(2) The Institute shall not engage itself, directly or indirectly in any trade or business
connected with the production, processing, im portation, sale or distribution for sale of
any seed.
8. The Minister in consultation with the Management Committee shall appoint the
Chief Certification Officer.
9. The Management Committee may, appoint at such sa laries and upon such terms
and conditions such officers and employees, fo r the proper and efficient performance of
necessary.
10.-(1) There shall be a Common Seal of the Institute which shall be of such shape,
size and form as the Manage ment Committee may determine.
(2) The Seal of the Institute shall not be  affixed to any inst rument except in the
presence of the Principal and one  Management Committee member.
11. The Institute shall keep and maintain pr oper books of accounts and records relating
to its transactions in accordance w ith acceptable accounting standards:
(a)       the financial year of the Institute shall end on 30th June of each year;
(b)      the books of accounts shall be au dited at the end of ea ch financial year by
an authorized auditor duly register ed under the Auditors and Accountants
(Registration ) Act, 1972. The auditors shall be appointed by the
Management Committee;
(c) the accounts and reports of the aud itors shall be submitted to the
Management Committee not later than four months after the end of each
financial year, and the Management Committee shall submit a copy of the
audit report to the Institute within two months after they have been audited;Seal of the 
InstituteManagement 
Committeemay appointemployees of the InstituteAppoint -
ment of the Institute's Chief CertificationOfficer
Accounts 
and audit  Act No. 33 of 1972