The East African Community (EAC) recently held public hearings about a new law called the Seed and Plant Varieties Bill, 2025. These hearings took place from August 26 to 28, 2026, in the capitals of the eight EAC Partner States, where members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) listened to various stakeholders. The goal of these hearings was to gather opinions from farmers, government officials, seed companies, and other groups about the proposed law. They wanted to understand how the law might affect different people, identify any problems, and find ways to improve it. The Bill aims to create a unified set of rules for how seeds and plant varieties are evaluated, registered, and sold across the region. This is important because it will help make seed trading easier and ensure that farmers have access to high-quality seeds that can withstand climate changes. During the hearings, many participants stressed the need to balance the rights of plant breeders with the needs of farmers. They want a law that encourages innovation while still being fair to small farmers. The EAC Secretariat emphasized that agriculture is crucial for the region's economy and that the new law would help streamline processes, making it easier for farmers to get quality seeds without unnecessary delays. Now, the Committee will review the feedback collected during the hearings and make adjustments to the Bill before it is debated in the East African Legislative Assembly. If approved, this law is expected to improve food security and encourage investment in the agricultural sector.
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
