NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SEEDS DECREE 1992 OIL IN NAVIGABLE WATERS REGULATIONS

What Is This Policy?

The National Agricultural Seeds Decree establishes the National Agricultural Seeds Council to regulate the production, processing, distribution, and marketing of agricultural seeds in Nigeria. The accompanying Oil in Navigable Waters Regulations provide detailed procedural rules for implementing the oil discharge prohibitions under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act.

Who Does It Target?

Seeds Decree: Seed producers, processors, and marketers; farmers; and the National Agricultural Seeds Council Oil Regulations: Ship operators, port authorities, and NIMASA

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Seeds Decree: To ensure that only certified, quality seeds reach farmers, boosting crop yields and food security. Oil Regulations: To specify the technical and procedural requirements for preventing and reporting oil pollution incidents.

Key Features

Seeds Council: Establishes a council to certify varieties, license seed businesses, and enforce quality standards. Variety Registration: New seed varieties must be registered before commercial release. Quality Certification: Seed lots must pass germination and purity tests before being sold to farmers. Oil Discharge Procedures: Details the procedures for minimising and managing oil discharges in port areas. Reporting Requirements: Vessel masters must report any oil spill in navigable waters immediately to authorities.

Current Status

In force. The National Agricultural Seeds Council implements the seeds legislation, and the Oil in Navigable Waters Regulations are enforced through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Seed businesses apply for licences from the National Agricultural Seeds Council Vessel masters comply with and report under the Oil Regulations as directed Application method: National Agricultural Seeds Council, Abuja; NIMASA for oil matters

Important Terms

Unlicensed seed selling is a criminal offence Failure to report an oil discharge is separately punishable under the Oil Act

Official Resources

Website: www.seedscouncil.gov.ng / www.nimasa.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria

Legal Framework

The National Agricultural Seeds Decree 1992 is recognized under Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution as an existing law. It has been largely superseded by the National Agricultural Seed Council Act, which provides the current statutory framework for seed regulation. The Decree aligned with ECOWAS Regional Seed Regulation, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and the UPOV Convention on plant variety protection.