Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to revoke, suspend licence for non-compliance of paddy seed sale regulations

PUTRAJAYA - Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers who fail to comply with regulations on the sale of certified paddy seeds will have their licences revoked or suspended, said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

In a statement today, the ministry said the ministry through the Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division director-general has the power to revoke and suspend any licence issued, if the holder fails to comply with the Control of Paddy and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).

The ministry said it takes a serious view of the issues related to the increasing prices as well as the supply of paddy seeds in the market and stressed that only government-appointed authorised paddy suppliers can sell the certified seeds.

"There are control mechanisms on the production and marketing of certified paddy seeds as provided for under the Standing Order of the Paddy and Rice Regulatory director-general No. 1/2021: Government Control over Seed Production and Marketing, effective Nov 11, 2021,” said the statement.

Therefore, manufacturers and wholesalers should ensure that the sale of certified paddy seeds does not exceed the set quota and the selling price should not be more than the maximum allowed.

The maximum price is set at RM31 per 20kg sack bought at the factory premises and a maximum of RM32 per 20kg if it includes transport charges.

Retail prices for certified paddy seeds cannot exceed the set maximum of RM35 per 20kg sack, it said. - BERNAMA