• 1- The provisions of this Law apply to the following:

  • A- The plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in the Council countries, both within and outside their natural habitats, and their derivatives and traditional knowledge.

  • B- Individuals who are connected to the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, their derivatives, and traditional knowledge.

• 2- The application of the provisions of this Law is exempt for traditional systems in obtaining, using, or exchanging plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, or traditional knowledge or techniques specific to local communities, including farmers' rights to retain, sell, and exchange seeds, provided that it does not conflict with the Treaty and relevant international agreements, and the Implementing Regulation specifies the controls for this exemption.

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and their derivatives are considered the sovereign rights of the state and are subject to its applicable legislation, and the transfer of ownership to others is prohibited.

A committee called the (National Committee for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) shall be established in each country, and a decision shall be issued by the competent authority to define the functions of this committee, its formation, and its operational system.

The competent authority is responsible for managing plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, organizing their collection, registration, preservation, maintenance, utilization, and exchange in accordance with the provisions of this law, the implementing regulation, and the decisions issued in its implementation.

The competent authority shall take the necessary measures to preserve and protect the genetic resources of rare or endangered food and agricultural plants, as well as the traditional knowledge associated with them, and biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use, in accordance with what is stipulated in the Implementing Regulation.

It is prohibited to engage in any activities related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture without a license. The implementing regulation specifies the types of activities, the conditions and procedures for licensing, the cases for suspension and cancellation, as well as renewal and waiver.