Seed Law of the People's Republic of China

(Adopted at the 16th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on July 8,
2000, promulgated by Order No. 34 of the President of the People’s Republic of China on July 8, 2000, and amended in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Seed Law of the People's Republic of China, adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress on August
28, 2004)

Contents

Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Protection of Germ Plasm Resources Chapter III Selection and Verification of Varieties Chapter IV Production of Seeds
Chapter V Trading in Seeds Chapter VI Use of Seeds Chapter VII Seed Quality
Chapter VIII Import and Export of Seeds and Cooperation with Foreign Countries
Chapter IX Administrative Management of Seeds
Chapter X Legal Responsibility
Chapter XI Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 This Law is enacted for the purpose of protecting and making rational use of germ plasm resources, standardizing the variety selection and the production of, trading in and use of seeds, safeguarding the
lawful rights and interests of variety breeders and seed producers, traders in seeds and seed users, operators and users, improving the quality of seeds, pushing forward the industrial management of seeds and promoting the development of crop cultivation and the forestry industry.
Article 2 This Law shall apply to the activities such as variety selection and production of, trading in, use and management of seeds engaged in within the territory of the People's Republic of China.
For purposes of this Law, seeds mean the materials for planting or propagating crops and forest trees, including grains, fruits, roots, stems, seedlings, sprouts and leaves.
Article 3 The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council shall be respectively in charge of the work related to crop seeds and forest tree seeds throughout the country. The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the local people's governments at or above the county level shall be in charge of the work related to crop seeds and forest tree seeds within their respective administrative regions.
Article 4 The State supports the efforts to protect germ plasm resources and to select, produce, replace and popularize improved varieties, encourages the combination of variety selection with seed production and trading in seeds, and rewards the units and individuals that achieve outstanding successes in the protection of germ plasm resources and in the selection and popularization of improved varieties.
Article 5 People's governments at or above the county level shall make plans for seed development in accordance with the guidelines of developing agriculture with the help of science and education and in light of the need for the development of crop cultivation and the forestry industry, and ensure implementation of the plans by taking measures in the fields of finance, loans and taxation in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State.
Article 6 The State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall establish special funds to support the selection and popularization of improved varieties. Specific measures in this regard shall be formulated by the State Council.
Article 7 The State shall establish a system for storing seeds, mainly to meet the need of production in times of calamities and to ensure the security of agricultural production. The seeds kept in reserve shall be regularly inspected and replaced with new seeds. Specific measures for seed storage shall be formulated by the State Council.

Chapter II Protection of Germ Plasm Resources

Article 8 The State protects germ plasm resources in accordance with law, and no units or individuals may seize or impair germ plasm resources.
Collecting and cutting natural germ plasm resources that are under special protection of the State are prohibited. Where such collecting or cutting is required for scientific research or other special purposes, the matter shall be subject to approval by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council or under the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.
Article 9 The State, in a planned way, collects, sorts out, verifies, registers, stores, exchanges and utilizes germ plasm resources, and regularly issues the catalogue of available germ plasm resources. Specific measures in this respect shall be formulated by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council.
The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council shall establish a national bank of germ plasm resources, and the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government may, in light of their need, establish germ plasm resources banks and protection zones or germ plasm resources reserves.
Article 10 The State has the sovereign right over germ plasm resources. Any units or individuals that wish to provide germ plasm resources to people outside China shall apply to the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council for approval; Any introduction of germ plasm resources from abroad shall be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations laid down by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council.

Chapter III Selection and Verification of Varieties

Article 11 The administrative departments for agriculture, forestry, science and technology, education, etc. under the State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and
municipalities directly under the Central Government shall make arrangements for relevant units to carry out research on the theory, technology and methods for variety selection.
The State encourages and supports units and individuals in their efforts to select and develop improved varieties.
Article 12 The State applies the system of protecting new plant varieties, whereby the plant varieties cultivated by artificial means or developed from wild plants discovered, which possess the characteristics of novelty, uniqueness, conformity and stability, shall be given the title of new plant varieties and the lawful rights and interests of the owners of such plant varieties shall be protected. The specific measures therefor shall be applied in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State. Where the varieties selected and bred are popularized, the breeders shall be given appropriate economic benefits in accordance with law.
Article 13 Where the earnings of units or individuals are reduced because the administrative departments for forestry establish testing stands, experimental stands, fine tree collection areas or gene banks for selection of improved varieties of forest trees, the administrative departments for forestry that give the approval shall make economic compensation to the units or individuals in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State.
Article 14 The selection, experiment, verification and popularization of transgenic plant varieties shall be subject to security assessment, and strict security control measures shall be taken. Specific measures in this respect shall be formulated by the State Council.
Article 15 Main crop and forest tree varieties shall be subject to verification at the national or provincial level prior to their popularization. Applicants may directly apply for verification at the provincial or national level. Main crop and forest tree varieties determined by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be subject to verification at the provincial level.
The measures for verifying main crop and forest tree varieties shall embody the principles of fairness, openness, scientificalness and efficiency and shall be formulated by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council.
The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council and those under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall respectively set up crop and forest tree varieties verification committees composed of professionals, which shall be in charge of the verification of main crop and forest tree varieties.
With respect to regions with a diversified ecology, the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government may entrust cities divided into districts and autonomous prefectures with the verification of the main crop and forest tree varieties, which are suitable for popularization in regions with special ecology.
Article 16 The main crop varieties and improved varieties of forest trees verified at the national level shall be announced by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council, and they may be popularized in regions with suitable ecology throughout the country. The main crop varieties and improved varieties of forest trees verified at the provincial level shall be announced by the
administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and they may be popularized in regions with suitable ecology in their own administrative areas; with respect to regions of
neighboring provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government that have the same suitable ecology, the said varieties may be introduced upon the approval of the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the said people's governments concerned.
Article 17 No crop varieties that are subject to verification but fail to pass the verification may be announced, traded in or popularized.
No forest tree varieties that are subject to verification but fail to pass the verification may be traded in or popularized as improved varieties. However, where such varieties are really needed for production, the matter shall be submitted to the forest tree varieties verification committee for confirmation.
Article 18 Where applicants have objections to the decision that their crop or forest tree varieties fail to pass the verification, they may apply for review to the original verification committee or to the committee at the next higher level.
Article 19 Where foreigners, foreign enterprises or other foreign organizations that have no regular
domiciles or business places in China apply for verification of their varieties in China, they shall ask Chinese institutes for scientific research in seeds or for production of or trading in seeds with the status of legal person to serve as their agents.

Chapter IV Production of Seeds

Article 20 A license system for the production of commodity seeds of main crops and forest trees shall be applied.
The licenses for producing hybrid seeds and parent seeds of the main crops, original seeds of conventional varieties and seeds of improved varieties of main forest trees shall be subject to approval after examination by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at the county level where such seeds are produced, and shall be issued after examination by the administrative department of agriculture or for forestry under the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government. The licenses for producing other seeds shall be issued after examination by the administrative department for agriculture for forestry under the local people's government at or above the county level where the seeds are produced.
Article 21 Units or individuals that apply for seed production licenses shall meet the following requirements: (1) having the isolating and breeding facilities for propagating seeds;
(2) having seed production sites free of epidemic diseases and insect pests or nurse-crop stands designated as such by the administrative department for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level;
(3) having funds and facilities for production and inspection commensurate with seed production; (4) having the necessary professionals specialized in seed production and inspection; and
(5) meeting the other requirements laid down in laws, and rules and regulations.
Anyone who applies for a license for producing seeds of a plant that has the title of a new plant variety shall be subject to written consent by the owner of such variety.
Article 22 In a seed production license the varieties of the seeds, the sites for producing such seeds, the effective period and other matters shall be stated clearly.
Forging, altering, trading in and leasing seed production licenses are prohibited. No unit or individual without such a license may produce seeds, and no unit or individual with such a license may do so at variance with the provisions stated in the license.
Article 23 Commodity seeds shall be produced in compliance with technical regulations on seed production and the rules on seed inspection and quarantine.
Article 24 Collection of seeds within forest seed production bases shall be arranged by the operators of the seed production bases, and the seeds shall be collected in conformity with the relevant standards of the State.
Plundering of unripe seeds and doing damage to mother trees are prohibited, and no seeds may be collected in inferior forest stands or from inferior mother trees.
Article 25 Producers of commodity seeds shall keep files of seed production, in which shall be clearly recorded the production sites, environments of the plots, preceding crops, source and quality of parent seeds, responsible technicians, inspections conducted in the fields, meteorological notes of the origins, distribution of seeds, etc.

Chapter V Trading in Seeds

Article 26 A license system for trading in seeds shall be applied. Only after a seed trading license in obtained may a trader in seeds apply to the administrative department for industry and commerce for a business license or for altering a business license on the strength of the seed trading license.
A system for examination and approval and issue of seed trading licenses at different levels shall be practised. A seed trading license shall be issued after examination by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level where the seed trader is located. The application for a seed trading license for hybrid seeds and parent seeds of main crops, original seeds of conventional varieties or improved varieties of main forest trees shall be subject to examination by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government
at the county level where the seed trader is located, and the license shall be issued after examination by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government of a province,
autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government. The application for a seed trading license submitted by a seed company which combines the selection breeding, and production of
seeds and trading in seeds and the registered capital of which reaches the amount specified by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council or submitted by a company that is engaged in import and export of seeds shall be examined by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government and the license shall be issued after examination by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council.
Article 27 The remainder of conventional seeds propagated by peasants themselves for their own use may be sold and exchanged at rural fairs without seed trading licenses, and measures in this respect shall be formulated by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government.
Article 28 The State encourages and supports scientific research institutes, schools, and scientists and technologists in their efforts to research in and develop new crop varieties and improved forest tree varieties, and to trade in them and spread their use in accordance with law.
Article 29 Units or individuals that apply for seed trading licenses shall meet the following requirements:
(1) having funds commensurate with the seed varieties and quantities traded in and the capability of bearing civil liabilities independently;
(2) having the personnel who are able to correctly distinguish the seeds traded in and examine seed quality and are skilled in storing seeds and keeping them in good condition;
(3) having business sites appropriate to the seed varieties and quantities traded in, the facilities for processing, packing and storing the seeds and keeping them in good condition, and the instruments for examining seed quality; and
(4) meeting the other requirements laid down in laws, rules and regulations.
People who trade specially in packed seeds that are not to be divided into smaller packages, or sell seeds on the basis of written commission as agents of the seed traders that have seed trading licenses, may go without seed trading licenses.
Article 30 The effective areas of a seed trading license shall be determined by the authority that issues the license within its jurisdiction. Where seed traders wish to establish branch offices within the effective areas specified in the trading licenses, they may dispense with extra licenses; however, they shall, within 15 days from the date they obtain or alter the business licenses, report for the record to the local administrative departments for agriculture or for forestry and the authority that issues the license.
Article 31 In a seed trading license shall be clearly stated the scope of seed trading, the mode of business, the effective term and areas, etc.
Forging, altering, trading in and leasing of seed trading licenses are prohibited. No unit or individual without such a license may trade in seeds, and no unit or individual with such a license may do so at variance with the provisions stated in the license.
Article 32 Seed traders shall observe the provisions in relevant laws, rules and regulations, provide seed users with such information as the brief properties of seeds, principal measures for planting, instructions for use of the seeds and relevant advisory services, and they shall be responsible for the quality of the seeds.
No unit or individual may illegally interfere in the seed traders' exercise of their right to independent operations.
Article 33 Without the approval of the administrative department for forestry under the people's
governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government, no seeds of rare trees or forest tree seeds the purchase of which is restricted in accordance with the regulations of the people's government at the same level may be purchased.
Article 34 Seeds for sale shall be processed, graded and packed, except those that cannot be processed or packed.
Seeds in large package or imported may be divided and repacked; in such cases, the repackaging units shall be clearly stated and they shall be responsible for the quality of such seeds.
Article 35 A label shall be attached to the package of the seeds for sale. In such a label shall be clearly stated the seed family, variety name, origin, quality index, serial number of quarantine certificate, serial number of the seed production or trading license, or document number of examination and approval for import, etc. What is stated in the label shall be in conformity with the seeds for sale.
For the sale of imported seeds, a label in Chinese is needed.
For the sale of the seeds of transgenic plant varieties, readily readable characters are essential, and safety control measures shall be indicated for their use.
Article 36 Seed traders shall keep seed trading files, which shall contain brief information about the seed source, processing, storage, transportation, the various links of quality test and the responsible persons the places where the seeds are sold to, etc.
Trading files for annual crop seeds shall be kept for two years after the seeds are sold; the length of time for keeping the trading files for perennial crop seeds and forest tree seeds shall be specified by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council.
Article 37 The contents of seed advertisements shall be conform to the provisions of this Law and laws, rules and regulations on advertisements, and the descriptions of the main properties shall agree with what is in the verification announced.
Article 38 A quarantine certificate shall be attached to the seeds allocated or transported or mailed out of a county.

Chapter VI Use of Seeds

Article 39 Seed users shall have the right to purchase the seeds of their own free will. No units or individuals may illegally interfere in such purchases.
Article 40 For the afforestation projects invested by the State or invested mainly by the State and for afforestation by State-owned forestry units, improved forest tree varieties shall be used in accordance with the plans worked out by the administrative departments for forestry.
The State provides support and assistance in the wide use of improved forest tree varieties to plant shelter forests and forests for special use.
Article 41 Where seed users suffer losses due to seed quality problems, the sellers of the seeds shall make compensation, and the amount of such compensation shall include the amount of money spent on the purchase of the seeds, relevant expenses and losses of potential profits.
Where the liability rests on the seed producers or other traders, the sellers who have paid the compensation shall have the right to claim compensation from the producers or other sellers.
Article 42 Where a civil dispute arises over the use of seeds, the parties may have it settled through consultation or mediation. Where the parties are not willing to do so, or consultation or mediation fails, they may apply to an arbitration institute for arbitration in accordance with the agreement reached between them. The parties may also directly file a suit to the People's Court.

Chapter VII Seed Quality

Article 43 The administrative measures for the quality of seeds in respect of seed production, processing, packaging, inspection and storage as well as standards of the trade shall be formulated by the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council.
The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry shall be in charge of supervision over seed quality.
Article 44 The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry may entrust seed quality inspection authorities with the inspection of seed quality.
The authorities for inspection of seed quality shall have the necessary testing facilities and capabilities, and shall be ones that are regarded as qualified for the job through assessment by the competent departments under the people's government at or above the provincial level.
Article 45 Seed quality examination inspection authorities shall be manned with inspectors. Seed inspectors shall meet the following requirements:
(1) having graduated from the secondary vocational or technical schools related to the profession or having received such education at a higher level;
(2) having been engaged in the technical work of seed inspection for three years at least; and
(3) having passed the examination conducted by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the provincial level.
Article 46 Production and trading in false and inferior seeds are prohibited. The following are false seeds:
(1) non-seeds passed off as seeds, and the seeds of one variety passed off as the seeds of another variety;
and
(2) the family, variety or origin of seeds is not in agreement with what is stated in the label. The following are inferior seeds:
(1) the quality is lower than the standards of seeds for use set by the State; (2) the quality is lower than the index indicated in the label;
(3) the seeds have deteriorated and cannot be used as such;
(4) the proportion of weed seeds exceeds the specified level; and
(5) the seeds carry the harmful organisms under quarantine specified by the State.
Article 47 Where, due to force majeure, it is necessary to use the crop seeds that are lower than the standards of seeds for use set by the State or by the local authorities, the matter shall be subject to approval by the local people's government at or above the county level where the seeds are to be used; where forest tree seeds are concerned, the matter shall be subject to approval by the people's government of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where the seeds are to be used.
Article 48 Units or individuals engaged in variety selection, in seed production or trade, or in seed management shall observe the provisions of the laws, rules and regulations on plant quarantine in order to prevent dangerous plant diseases, insect pests, weeds and other harmful organisms from spreading.
No units or individuals may conduct vaccinal experiments against diseases and insect pests at seed production bases.

Chapter VIII Import and Export of Seeds and Cooperation with Foreign Countries

Article 49 Any seeds imported or exported shall be subject to inspection and quarantine for the purpose of preventing dangerous plant diseases, insect pests, weeds and other harmful organisms from spreading into or out of China, and inspection and quarantine shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the laws, rules and regulations on entry or exit plant inspection and quarantine.
Article 50 Legal persons or other organizations engaged in the import or export of commodity seeds shall, in addition to the seed trading license, obtain the license for the import and export trade of seeds in
accordance with the provisions of the laws, rules and regulations on foreign trade.
The State Council shall fix the limits of authority for examining and approving the introduction of the seeds of crops and forest trees from abroad, and formulate measures for examination and approval of the import and export of such seeds and administrative measures for the introduction of transgenic plant varieties.
Article 51 The quality of the commodity seeds imported shall reach the standards of the State or of the trade. Where there are no such standards to go by, the standards agreed upon in a contract may be applied.
Article 52 Where seeds are imported for producing hybrid seeds for other countries, such imports may be exempt from the restriction laid down in the provision of the first paragraph of Article 50 of this Law, provided that a contract is signed for the production of hybrid seeds for foreign countries, the imported seeds are only to be used for the production of hybrid seeds, and the products are not to be sold at domestic markets.
The crop seeds introduced from abroad for experiment shall be planted in isolation, and no cuttings therefrom may be sold as commodity seeds.
Article 53 The import and export of false and inferior seeds and of the seeds the import and export of which are prohibited by State regulations are prohibited.
Article 54 The examination and approval procedures and administrative measures with regard to foreign enterprises, other economic organizations or individuals that wish to invest in seed production and trading in China shall be formulated by the relevant departments under the State Council in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, rules and regulations.

Chapter IX Administrative Management of Seeds

Article 55 The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry are the administrative organs for enforcement of the seed law. When seed law enforcement officials perform their duties in accordance with law, they shall show their administrative law-enforcement papers.
For enforcing this Law, the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry may conduct on-the- spot inspection.
Article 56 No administrative departments for agriculture or for forestry or their staff members may take part in or engage in seed production or trading; no seed production or trading businesses may take part in or engage in administrative management of seeds. The administrative department for seeds and the seed production and trading businesses shall be separated from each other in respect of personnel and finance.
Article 57 The administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry under the State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government where seeds are propagated in different soil shall improve management and coordination in this regard, and the transportation departments shall give priority to the transport of such seeds.
Article 58 When issuing after examination relevant certificates or licenses in accordance with this Law, the administrative departments for agriculture and for forestry shall charge no other fees than the fees for the costs of the certificates or licenses issued by them.

Chapter X Legal Responsibility

Article 59 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, produces or trades in false or inferior seeds shall be ordered by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level or by the administrative department for industry and commerce,
the seeds and the illegal gains therefrom shall be confiscated, the seed production or trading license or the business license shall be revoked, and a fine shall be imposed; if there are illegal gains, a fine not less than five times but not more than ten times the amount of the illegal gains shall be imposed; if there are no illegal gains, a fine not less than RMB2,000 yuan but not more than 50,000 yuan shall be imposed; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law.
Article 60 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, commits one of the following acts shall be ordered by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level to put it right, the seeds and the illegal gains therefrom shall be confiscated, and a fine not less than the amount of the illegal gains but not more than three times that amount shall be
imposed; if there are no illegal gains, a fine not less than 1,000 yuan but not more than 30,000 yuan shall be imposed; the seed production or trading license of the lawbreaker may be revoked; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law:
(1) producing seeds without a seed production license, forging, altering, trading in or leasing seed production licenses, or producing seeds at variance with the provisions stated in the seed production license; or
(2) trading in seeds without a seed trading license, forging, altering, trading in or leasing seed trading licenses or trading in seeds at variance with the provisions stated in the seed trading license.
Article 61 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, commits one of the following acts shall be ordered by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level to put it right, the seeds and the illegal gains therefrom shall be confiscated, and a fine not less than the amount of illegal gains but not more than three times that amount shall be imposed; if there no illegal gains, a fine not less than 1,000 yuan but not more than 20,000 yuan shall be imposed; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law:
(1) selling at domestic markets the seeds of hybrid seeds produced for other countries;
(2) selling the yields from crop seeds, which are introduced from abroad for introduction experiment, as commodity seeds at domestic markets; or
(3) collecting or cutting, without authorization, the natural germ plasm resources under special protection of the State.
Article 62 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, commits one of the following acts shall be ordered by the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level or by the administrative department for industry and commerce to put it right and shall be fined not less than 1,00 yuan but not more than 10,000 yuan:
(1) trading in seeds that are not packed as they should be;
(2) trading in seeds with no labels attached or the contents of the label do not conform to the provisions of this Law;
(3) forging or altering labels or the data of experiments and examination;
(4) failing to prepare and preserve files regarding seed production and trading as required; or
(5) failing to report for the record when a seed trader establishes branch offices in other areas.
Article 63 Where, in violation of the provisions of this Law, germ plasm resources are provided or introduced from abroad, the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the State Council or under the people's government of a province, autonomous g autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government shall confiscate the germ plasm resources and the illegal gains therefrom, and impose a fine not less than 10,000 yuan but not more than 50,000 yuan
Where germ plasm resources are being brought or transported out of China without the approval
documents of the administrative departments for agriculture or for forestry, the Customs shall seize the said resources and transfer them to the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry under the
people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central
Government for disposition.
Article 64 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, trades in or popularizes the seeds that are subject to verification but fail to pass the verification shall be ordered by the administrative department for agriculture or for industry under the people's government at or above the county level to discontinue such trading or popularization, the seeds and illegal gains therefrom shall be confiscated, and a fine not less than
10,000 yuan but not more than 50,000 yuan shall also be imposed.
Article 65 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, plunders unripe seeds, damages mother trees or collects in inferior forest stunds or from inferior mother trees shall be ordered by the administrative department for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level to discontinue such acts, the seeds collected shall be confiscated, and a fine not less than the value of the collected seeds but not more than three times that value shall be imposed; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law.
Article 66 Where tree seeds are purchased in violation of the provisions of Article 33 of this Law, the competent administrative department for forestry under the people's government at or above the county level shall confiscate the seeds purchased, and impose a fine not more than two times the purchase price of the tree seeds.
Article 67 Anyone who, in violation of the provisions of this Law, conducts vaccinal experiment against diseases and insect pests at seed production bases shall be ordered to discontinue such experiment and shall be fined not more than 50,000 yuan.
Article 68 Where a seed quality inspection authority issues false inspection certificates, it shall bear joint and several liability with the seed producers or sellers; and the seed quality inspection authority and the persons who are responsible shall be investigated for administrative liability in accordance with law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law.
Article 69 Anyone who compels seed users to purchase and use the seeds against their own free will and thus causes losses to the seed users shall bear the liability to pay compensation.
Article 70 Where, in violation of the provisions of this Law, administrative departments for agriculture or for forestry issue production licenses or seed trading licenses to seed producers or traders that do not meet the requirements, the persons who are directly in charge and the other persons who are directly responsible shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law.
Article 71 Administrative officials for the management of seeds who engage in malpractices for personal, abuse their power or neglect their duty, or, in violation of the provisions of this Law, engage in seed production or trading shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law; if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with law.
Article 72 Where a party believes that the specific administrative acts conducted by a relevant administrative organ infringes upon his lawful rights and interests, he may apply for administrative reconsideration according to law or may directly bring a suit to the People's Court in accordance with law.
Article 73 After the administrative department for agriculture or for forestry revokes the seed trading license of a lawbreaker in accordance with law, it shall notify the administrative department for industry and commerce to cancel or alter his business license in accordance with law.

Chapter XI Supplementary Provisions

Article 74 The following terms used in this Law mean:
(1) Germ plasm resources refer to the basic materials for breeding new varieties, including the propagating materials for the cultigens and wild species of various plants as well as the hereditary materials of the various plants artificially created with the above-mentioned propagating materials.
(2) Varieties mean the flora artificially bred or discovered and improved, and their morphological characteristics are in conformity with their biological characteristics and their hereditary properties are relatively stable.
(3) The main crops refer to rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soybean and one or two other crops determined respectively by the administrative department for agriculture under the State Council or under the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.
(4) The improved varieties of forest trees refer to the verified tree seeds which, in a given area, are obviously better than those of the propagating and planting materials mainly planted at the time in terms of output, adaptability and resistance.
(5) Labels mean the specific patterns and written directions fixed to the surface of seed packages and inside or outside such packages.
Article 75 The main forest trees mentioned in this Law are determined and announced by the administrative department for forestry under the State Council; the administrative department for forestry under the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government may determine no more than eight other varieties in addition to the ones determined by the said department under the State Council.
Article 76 The germ plasm resources of weed seeds and edible fungi shall be controlled and the weed seeds and edible fungi shall be bred, produced, traded in, used and managed by applying this Law mutatis mutandis.
Article 77 Where the provisions of the international treaties on seeds concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China are different from those of this Law, the provisions of the international treaties shall prevail, except where the People's Republic of China has declared reservation.
Article 78 This Law shall go into effect as of December 1, 2000. The "Seed Control Regulations of the People's Republic of China" promulgated by the State Council on March 13, 1989 shall be abolished at the same time.

中华人民共和国种子法

（2000 年 7 月 8 日第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十六次会议通过 根据 2004 年 8 月 28 日第十届全国人民代表大会常 务委员会第十一次会议《关于修改〈中华人民共和国种子法〉的决定》修正）
目 录 第一章 总则
第二章 种质资源保护 第三章 品种选育与审定 第四章 种子生产
第五章 种子经营 第六章 种子使用 第七章 种子质量
第八章 种子进出口和对外合作 第九章 种子行政管理
第十章 法律责任 第十一章 附则
第一章 总则
第一条 为了保护和合理利用种质资源，规范品种选育和种子生产、经营、使用行为，维护品种选育者和种子生产者、经 营者、使用者的合法权益，提高种子质量水平，推动种子产业化，促进种植业和林业的发展，制定本法。
第二条 在中华人民共和国境内从事品种选育和种子生产、经营、使用、管理等活动，适用本法。本法所称种子，是指农 作物和林木的种植材料或者繁殖材料，包括籽粒、果实和根、茎、苗、芽、叶等。
第三条 国务院农业、林业行政主管部门分别主管全国农作物种子和林木种子工作；县级以上地方人民政府农业、林业行 政主管部门分别主管本行政区域内农作物种子和林木种子工作。
第四条 国家扶持种质资源保护工作和选育、生产、更新、推广使用良种，鼓励品种选育和种子生产、经营相结合，奖励 在种质资源保护工作和良种选育、推广等工作中成绩显著的单位和个人。
第五条 县级以上人民政府应当根据科教兴农方针和种植业、林业发展的需要制定种子发展规划，并按照国家有关规定在 财政、信贷和税收等方面采取措施保证规划的实施。
第六条 国务院和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府设立专项资金，用于扶持良种选育和推广。具体办法由国务院规定。
第七条 国家建立种子贮备制度，主要用于发生灾害时的生产需要，保障农业生产安全。对贮备的种子应当定期检验和更 新。种子贮备的具体办法由国务院规定。
第二章 种质资源保护
第八条 国家依法保护种质资源，任何单位和个人不得侵占和破坏种质资源。 禁止采集或者采伐国家重点保护的天然种质资源。因科研等特殊情况需要采集或者采伐的，应当经国务院或者省、自治区、
直辖市人民政府的农业、林业行政主管部门批准。
第九条 国家有计划地收集、整理、鉴定、登记、保存、交流和利用种质资源，定期公布可供利用的种质资源目录。具体 办法由国务院农业、林业行政主管部门规定。国务院农业、林业行政主管部门应当建立国家种质资源库，省、自治区、直辖市人 民政府农业、林业行政主管部门可以根据需要建立种质资源库、种质资源保护区或者种质资源保护地。
第十条 国家对种质资源享有主权，任何单位和个人向境外提供种质资源的，应当经国务院农业、林业行政主管部门批准； 从境外引进种质资源的，依照国务院农业、林业行政主管部门的有关规定办理。
第三章 品种选育与审定
第十一条 国务院农业、林业、科技、教育等行政主管部门和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府应当组织有关单位进行品种选 育理论、技术和方法的研究。国家鼓励和支持单位和个人从事良种选育和开发。
第十二条 国家实行植物新品种保护制度，对经过人工培育的或者发现的野生植物加以开发的植物品种，具备新颖性、特 异性、一致性和稳定性的，授予植物新品种权，保护植物新品种权所有人的合法权益。具体办法按照国家有关规定执行。选育的 品种得到推广应用的，育种者依法获得相应的经济利益。
第十三条 单位和个人因林业行政主管部门为选育林木良种建立测定林、试验林、优树收集区、基因库而减少经济收入的， 批准建立的林业行政主管部门应当按照国家有关规定给予经济补偿。
第十四条 转基因植物品种的选育、试验、审定和推广应当进行安全性评价，并采取严格的安全控制措施。具体办法由国 务院规定。
第十五条 主要农作物品种和主要林木品种在推广应用前应当通过国家级或者省级审定，申请者可以直接申请省级审定或 者国家级审定。由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门确定的主要农作物品种和主要林木品种实行省级审定。
主要农作物品种和主要林木品种的审定办法应当体现公正、公开、科学、效率的原则，由国务院农业、林业行政主管部门 规定。
国务院和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府的农业、林业行政主管部门分别设立由专业人员组成的农作物品种和林木品种审定 委员会，承担主要农作物品种和主要林木品种的审定工作。
在具有生态多样性的地区，省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门可以委托设区的市、自治州承担适宜于 在特定生态区域内推广应用的主要农作物品种和主要林木品种的审定工作。
第十六条 通过国家级审定的主要农作物品种和主要林木良种由国务院农业、林业行政主管部门公告，可以在全国适宜的 生态区域推广。通过省级审定的主要农作物品种和主要林木良种由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门公告， 可以在本行政区域内适宜的生态区域推广；相邻省、自治区、直辖市属于同一适宜生态区的地域，经所在省、自治区、直辖市人 民政府农业、林业行政主管部门同意后可以引种。
第十七条 应当审定的农作物品种未经审定通过的，不得发布广告，不得经营、推广。 应当审定的林木品种未经审定通过的，不得作为良种经营、推广，但生产确需使用的，应当经林木品种审定委员会认定。 第十八条 审定未通过的农作物品种和林木品种，申请人有异议的，可以向原审定委员会或者上一级审定委员会申请复审。
第十九条 在中国没有经常居所或者营业场所的外国人、外国企业或者外国其他组织在中国申请品种审定的，应当委托具 有法人资格的中国种子科研、生产、经营机构代理。
第四章 种子生产 第二十条 主要农作物和主要林木的商品种子生产实行许可制度。
主要农作物杂交种子及其亲本种子、常规种原种种子、主要林木良种的种子生产许可证，由生产所在地县级人民政府农业、 林业行政主管部门审核，省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门核发；其他种子的生产许可证，由生产所在地县 级以上地方人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门核发。
第二十一条 申请领取种子生产许可证的单位和个人，应当具备下列条件：
（一）具有繁殖种子的隔离和培育条件；
（二）具有无检疫性病虫害的种子生产地点或者县级以上人民政府林业行政主管部门确定的采种林；
（三）具有与种子生产相适应的资金和生产、检验设施；
（四）具有相应的专业种子生产和检验技术人员；
（五）法律、法规规定的其他条件。 申请领取具有植物新品种权的种子生产许可证的，应当征得品种权人的书面同意。
第二十二条 种子生产许可证应当注明生产种子的品种、地点和有效期限等项目。 禁止伪造、变造、买卖、租借种子生产许可证；禁止任何单位和个人无证或者未按照许可证的规定生产种子。 第二十三条 商品种子生产应当执行种子生产技术规程和种子检验、检疫规程。
第二十四条 在林木种子生产基地内采集种子的，由种子生产基地的经营者组织进行，采集种子应当按照国家有关标准进
行。
禁止抢采掠青、损坏母树，禁止在劣质林内、劣质母树上采集种子。
第二十五条 商品种子生产者应当建立种子生产档案，载明生产地点、生产地块环境、前茬作物、亲本种子来源和质量、 技术负责人、田间检验记录、产地气象记录、种子流向等内容。
第五章 种子经营
第二十六条 种子经营实行许可制度。种子经营者必须先取得种子经营许可证后，方可凭种子经营许可证向工商行政管理 机关申请办理或者变更营业执照。种子经营许可证实行分级审批发放制度。种子经营许可证由种子经营者所在地县级以上地方人 民政府农业、林业行政主管部门核发。主要农作物杂交种子及其亲本种子、常规种原种种子、主要林木良种的种子经营许可证， 由种子经营者所在地县级人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门审核，省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门核发。 实行选育、生产、经营相结合并达到国务院农业、林业行政主管部门规定的注册资本金额的种子公司和从事种子进出口业务的公 司的种子经营许可证，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门审核，国务院农业、林业行政主管部门核发。
第二十七条 农民个人自繁、自用的常规种子有剩余的，可以在集贸市场上出售、串换，不需要办理种子经营许可证，由 省、自治区、直辖市人民政府制定管理办法。
第二十八条 国家鼓励和支持科研单位、学校、科技人员研究开发和依法经营、推广农作物新品种和林木良种。 第二十九条 申请领取种子经营许可证的单位和个人，应当具备下列条件：
（一）具有与经营种子种类和数量相适应的资金及独立承担民事责任的能力；
（二）具有能够正确识别所经营的种子、检验种子质量、掌握种子贮藏、保管技术的人员；
（三）具有与经营种子的种类、数量相适应的营业场所及加工、包装、贮藏保管设施和检验种子质量的仪器设备；
（四）法律、法规规定的其他条件。 种子经营者专门经营不再分装的包装种子的，或者受具有种子经营许可证的种子经营者以书面委托代销其种子的，可以不
办理种子经营许可证。
第三十条 种子经营许可证的有效区域由发证机关在其管辖范围内确定。种子经营者按照经营许可证规定的有效区域设立 分支机构的，可以不再办理种子经营许可证，但应当在办理或者变更营业执照后十五日内，向当地农业、林业行政主管部门和原 发证机关备案。
第三十一条 种子经营许可证应当注明种子经营范围、经营方式及有效期限、有效区域等项目。禁止伪造、变造、买卖、 租借种子经营许可证；禁止任何单位和个人无证或者未按照许可证的规定经营种子。
第三十二条 种子经营者应当遵守有关法律、法规的规定，向种子使用者提供种子的简要性状、主要栽培措施、使用条件的 说明与有关咨询服务，并对种子质量负责。任何单位和个人不得非法干预种子经营者的自主经营权。
第三十三条 未经省、自治区、直辖市人民政府林业行政主管部门批准，不得收购珍贵树木种子和本级人民政府规定限制 收购的林木种子。
第三十四条 销售的种子应当加工、分级、包装。但是，不能加工、包装的除外。 大包装或者进口种子可以分装；实行分装的，应当注明分装单位，并对种子质量负责。
第三十五条 销售的种子应当附有标签。标签应当标注种子类别、品种名称、产地、质量指标、检疫证明编号、种子生产 及经营许可证编号或者进口审批文号等事项。标签标注的内容应当与销售的种子相符。销售进口种子的，应当附有中文标签。销 售转基因植物品种种子的，必须用明显的文字标注，并应当提示使用时的安全控制措施。
第三十六条 种子经营者应当建立种子经营档案，载明种子来源、加工、贮藏、运输和质量检测各环节的简要说明及责任 人、销售去向等内容。
一年生农作物种子的经营档案应当保存至种子销售后二年，多年生农作物和林木种子经营档案的保存期限由国务院农业、 林业行政主管部门规定。
第三十七条 种子广告的内容应当符合本法和有关广告的法律、法规的规定，主要性状描述应当与审定公告一致。 第三十八条 调运或者邮寄出县的种子应当附有检疫证书。
第六章 种子使用
第三十九条 种子使用者有权按照自己的意愿购买种子，任何单位和个人不得非法干预。
第四十条 国家投资或者国家投资为主的造林项目和国有林业单位造林，应当根据林业行政主管部门制定的计划使用林木 良种。
国家对推广使用林木良种营造防护林、特种用途林给予扶持。
第四十一条 种子使用者因种子质量问题遭受损失的，出售种子的经营者应当予以赔偿，赔偿额包括购种价款、有关费 用和可得利益损失。
经营者赔偿后，属于种子生产者或者其他经营者责任的，经营者有权向生产者或者其他经营者追偿。
第四十二条 因使用种子发生民事纠纷的，当事人可以通过协商或者调解解决。当事人不愿通过协商、调解解决或者协 商、调解不成的，可以根据当事人之间的协议向仲裁机构申请仲裁。当事人也可以直接向人民法院起诉。
第七章 种子质量
第四十三条 种子的生产、加工、包装、检验、贮藏等质量管理办法和行业标准，由国务院农业、林业行政主管部门制定。 农业、林业行政主管部门负责对种子质量的监督。
第四十四条 农业、林业行政主管部门可以委托种子质量检验机构对种子质量进行检验。 承担种子质量检验的机构应当具备相应的检测条件和能力，并经省级以上人民政府有关主管部门考核合格。 第四十五条 种子质量检验机构应当配备种子检验员。种子检验员应当具备以下条件：
（一）具有相关专业中等专业技术学校毕业以上文化水平；
（二）从事种子检验技术工作三年以上；
（三）经省级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门考核合格。 第四十六条 禁止生产、经营假、劣种子。下列种子为假种子：
（一）以非种子冒充种子或者以此种品种种子冒充他种品种种子的；
（二）种子种类、品种、产地与标签标注的内容不符的。 下列种子为劣种子：
（一）质量低于国家规定的种用标准的；
（二）质量低于标签标注指标的；
（三）因变质不能作种子使用的；
（四）杂草种子的比率超过规定的；
（五）带有国家规定检疫对象的有害生物的。
第四十七条 由于不可抗力原因，为生产需要必须使用低于国家或者地方规定的种用标准的农作物种子的，应当经用种地 县级以上地方人民政府批准；林木种子应当经用种地省、自治区、直辖市人民政府批准。
第四十八条 从事品种选育和种子生产、经营以及管理的单位和个人应当遵守有关植物检疫法律、行政法规的规定，防止 植物危险性病、虫、杂草及其他有害生物的传播和蔓延。
禁止任何单位和个人在种子生产基地从事病虫害接种试验。
第八章 种子进出口和对外合作
第四十九条 进口种子和出口种子必须实施检疫，防止植物危险性病、虫、杂草及其他有害生物传入境内和传出境外，具 体检疫工作按照有关植物进出境检疫法律、行政法规的规定执行。
第五十条 从事商品种子进出口业务的法人和其他组织，除具备种子经营许可证外，还应当依照有关对外贸易法律、行政 法规的规定取得从事种子进出口贸易的许可。从境外引进农作物、林木种子的审定权限，农作物、林木种子的进出口审批办法， 引进转基因植物品种的管理办法，由国务院规定。
第五十一条 进口商品种子的质量，应当达到国家标准或者行业标准。没有国家标准或者行业标准的，可以按照合同约定 的标准执行。
第五十二条 为境外制种进口种子的，可以不受本法第五十条第一款的限制，但应当具有对外制种合同，进口的种子只能 用于制种，其产品不得在国内销售。从境外引进农作物试验用种，应当隔离栽培，收获物也不得作为商品种子销售。
第五十三条 禁止进出口假、劣种子以及属于国家规定不得进出口的种子。
第五十四条 境外企业、其他经济组织或者个人来我国投资种子生产、经营的，审批程序和管理办法由国务院有关部门依 照有关法律、行政法规规定。
第九章 种子行政管理
第五十五条 农业、林业行政主管部门是种子行政执法机关。种子执法人员依法执行公务时应当出示行政执法证件。 农业、林业行政主管部门为实施本法，可以进行现场检查。
第五十六条 农业、林业行政主管部门及其工作人员不得参与和从事种子生产、经营活动；种子生产经营机构不得参与和 从事种子行政管理工作。种子的行政主管部门与生产经营机构在人员和财务上必须分开。
第五十七条 国务院农业、林业行政主管部门和异地繁育种子所在地的省、自治区、直辖市人民政府应当加强对异地繁育 种子工作的管理和协调，交通运输部门应当优先保证种子的运输。
第五十八条 农业、林业行政主管部门在依照本法实施有关证照的核发工作中，除收取所发证照的工本费外，不得收取其 他费用。
第十章 法律责任
第五十九条 违反本法规定，生产、经营假、劣种子的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门或者工商行政管理 机关责令停止生产、经营，没收种子和违法所得，吊销种子生产许可证、种子经营许可证或者营业执照，并处以罚款；有违法所 得的，处以违法所得五倍以上十倍以下罚款；没有违法所得的，处以二千元以上五万元以下罚款；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责 任。
第六十条 违反本法规定，有下列行为之一的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门责令改正，没收种子和违法 所得，并处以违法所得一倍以上三倍以下罚款；没有违法所得的，处以一千元以上三万元以下罚款；可以吊销违法行为人的种子 生产许可证或者种子经营许可证；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任：
（一）未取得种子生产许可证或者伪造、变造、买卖、租借种子生产许可证，或者未按照种子生产许可证的规定生产种子 的；
（二）未取得种子经营许可证或者伪造、变造、买卖、租借种子经营许可证，或者未按照种子经营许可证的规定经营种子 的。
第六十一条 违反本法规定，有下列行为之一的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门责令改正，没收种子和违 法所得，并处以违法所得一倍以上三倍以下罚款；没有违法所得的，处以一千元以上二万元以下罚款；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑 事责任：
（一）为境外制种的种子在国内销售的；
（二）从境外引进农作物种子进行引种试验的收获物在国内作商品种子销售的；
（三）未经批准私自采集或者采伐国家重点保护的天然种质资源的。
第六十二条 违反本法规定，有下列行为之一的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门或者工商行政管理机关责 令改正，处以一千元以上一万元以下罚款：
（一）经营的种子应当包装而没有包装的；
（二）经营的种子没有标签或者标签内容不符合本法规定的；
（三）伪造、涂改标签或者试验、检验数据的；
（四）未按规定制作、保存种子生产、经营档案的；
（五）种子经营者在异地设立分支机构未按规定备案的。
第六十三条 违反本法规定，向境外提供或者从境外引进种质资源的，由国务院或者省、自治区、直辖市人民政府的农业、 林业行政主管部门没收种质资源和违法所得，并处以一万元以上五万元以下罚款。
未取得农业、林业行政主管部门的批准文件携带、运输种质资源出境的，海关应当将该种质资源扣留，并移送省、自治区、 直辖市人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门处理。
第六十四条 违反本法规定，经营、推广应当审定而未经审定通过的种子的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部 门责令停止种子的经营、推广，没收种子和违法所得，并处以一万元以上五万元以下罚款。
第六十五条 违反本法规定，抢采掠青、损坏母树或者在劣质林内和劣质母树上采种的，由县级以上人民政府林业行政主 管部门责令停止采种行为，没收所采种子，并处以所采林木种子价值一倍以上三倍以下的罚款；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第六十六条 违反本法第三十三条规定收购林木种子的，由县级以上人民政府林业行政主管部门没收所收购的种子，并处 以收购林木种子价款二倍以下的罚款。
第六十七条 违反本法规定，在种子生产基地进行病虫害接种试验的，由县级以上人民政府农业、林业行政主管部门责令 停止试验，处以五万元以下罚款。
第六十八条 种子质量检验机构出具虚假检验证明的，与种子生产者、销售者承担连带责任；并依法追究种子质量检验机 构及其有关责任人的行政责任；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第六十九条 强迫种子使用者违背自己的意愿购买、使用种子给使用者造成损失的，应当承担赔偿责任。
第七十条 农业、林业行政主管部门违反本法规定，对不具备条件的种子生产者、经营者核发种子生产许可证或者种子经 营许可证的，对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员，依法给予行政处分；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第七十一条 种子行政管理人员徇私舞弊、滥用职权、玩忽职守的，或者违反本法规定从事种子生产、经营活动的，依法 给予行政处分；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第七十二条 当事人认为有关行政机关的具体行政行为侵犯其合法权益的，可以依法申请行政复议，也可以依法直接向人 民法院提起诉讼。
第七十三条 农业、林业行政主管部门依法吊销违法行为人的种子经营许可证后，应当通知工商行政管理机关依法注销或 者变更违法行为人的营业执照。
第十一章 附则 第七十四条 本法下列用语的含义是：
（一）种质资源是指选育新品种的基础材料，包括各种植物的栽培种、野生种的繁殖材料以及利用上述繁殖材料人工创造 的各种植物的遗传材料。
（二）品种是指经过人工选育或者发现并经过改良，形态特征和生物学特性一致，遗传性状相对稳定的植物群体。
（三）主要农作物是指稻、小麦、玉米、棉花、大豆以及国务院农业行政主管部门和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府农业行 政主管部门各自分别确定的其他一至二种农作物。
（四）林木良种是指通过审定的林木种子，在一定的区域内，其产量、适应性、抗性等方面明显优于当前主栽材料的繁殖 材料和种植材料。
（五）标签是指固定在种子包装物表面及内外的特定图案及文字说明。
第七十五条 本法所称主要林木由国务院林业行政主管部门确定并公布；省、自治区、直辖市人民政府林业行政主管 部门可以在国务院林业行政主管部门确定的主要林木之外确定其他八种以下的主要林木。
第七十六条 草种、食用菌菌种的种质资源管理和选育、生产、经营、使用、管理等活动，参照本法执行。 第七十七条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的与种子有关的国际条约与本法有不同规定的，适用国际条约的规定；但
是，中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。
第七十八条 本法自２０００年１２月１日起施行。１９８９年３月１３日国务院发布的《中华人民共和国种子管理 条例》同时废止。