to the reply given to the Unstarred Question No.2669 on December 12, 2005 and state the progress made so far to safeguard the interest of the rice farmers?
to the reply given to the Unstarred Question No.2669 on December 12, 2005 and state the progress made so far to safeguard the interest of the rice farmers?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
Members of a Committee constituted for the purpose by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research have studied Syngenta Company`s Patents on rice gene(s) sequences. Thirteen patents were selected through internet search, and patent claims have been examined by the experts. The claims are very generic in nature and are based on demonstrating the functions of naturally occurring genes in rice germplasm. Considering such trends, the Government of India has already enacted the following legal instruments:-
(i) the amended Patent Act (as amended last in 2005),
(ii) the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers` Rights Act, 2001,
(iii) the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and
(iv) the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
These laws shall go a long way in safeguarding the interest of farmers of the nation.