BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “This has to do with getting new seeds and plant varieties into Eswatini.”
These were the words of senator Chief Magudvulela when explaining the implications of the Seed and Plant Varieties Regulations to senators in parliament this week. Chief Magudvulela moved the regulations onto the parliament floor and the senators voted to officially adopt them, after deliberating on the implications and giving their feedback.
“The regulations enable us to adopt new seeds and plant varieties if two countries in the SADC or COMESA region have adopted them already”, said the senator.
The Minister of Agriculture Jabulani Mabuza further explained the background of the regulations and what they mean for farmers.
“The reason we are opening up the regulations for new seeds and plant varieties is to promote food security in the country,” said Mabuza.
He added that while the country has been working very closely with the two regions of SADC and COMESA, it was not an automatic process that seeds approved by other countries in the region could be used in Eswatini.
Senators urged the Minister to make sure that as these regulations are adopted, indigenous seeds and plant varieties are preserved and protected.
SENATE ADOPTS STANDARDS AND QUALITY BILL
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “Thank you to everyone who helped us pass this bill”.
These were the words of Minister of Commerce Manqoba Khumalo when speaking to the house of senate yesterday. This followed the official adoption of the Standards and Quality Bill of 2023 by the Senate.
Minister Khumalo highlighted that this Bill will ensure that products from Eswatini are aligned with international standards of quality.
The Chairperson of the Ministry of Commerce portfolio committee in Senate Senator Alberto Samuels was seconded by Senator Winile Nxumalo in moving the Bill for consideration by senate. The Senate passed the Standards and Quality Bill of 2023 following the official adoption of the report on it.
“I thank the office of the president, the deputy president, all the senators, especially the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, portfolio committee as chaired by Senator Samuels. Thank you to the PS and the department, especially the regulatory and quality infrastructure department, the clerks, and all those who helped us develop and pass the Standards and Quality Bill of 2023,” said the Minister of Commerce.
