Page 140 - CW E-Magazine (1-4-2025)

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our farmers are saved from the damages
caused by spurious and counterfeit pro-
ducts, and will make their produce
globally competitive.

At a conference attended, among
others, by Chief QC Offi cer, Department
of Agriculture, Government of Maha-
rashtra, the industry and experts urged
the government to expedite stricter
enforcement of IPR and related laws.

Organised by the Federation of Seed
Industry of India (FSII) in collaboration
with the Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA),
Government of India, and the Depart- ers about existing laws. To bridge this tration system based on distinctness, uni-
ment of Agriculture, Maharashtra, the gap, he called for state-led awareness formity, stability, and novelty, aligning
conference brought together farmers, campaigns, training programmes, and policies with the government’s vision. “I
seed industry leaders, and government regulatory workshops that educate would like to announced that guidelines
offi cials. The discussions centred on stakeholders on the risks of using un- for strengthening provisional protection
tackling counterfeit seeds, strengthening approved seeds and the long-term bene- and penalties for IPR violations are being
IPR frameworks, and creating a more fi ts of supporting innovation through drafted.” he said.
secure and sustainable seed market in legally protected seed varieties.
India. Mr. Raghavan Sampathkumar, Execu-
Speakers at the conference high- tive Director, FSII, reiterated that navigat-
Reiterating the government’s lighted the urgent need to safeguard seed ing the complex regulatory landscape re-
commitment to protecting the IPR of innovation through stricter regulatory mains a key challenge for industry players.
India’s seeds industry, Mr. Praveen mechanisms. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, “By facilitating dialogue and knowledge-
Deshmukh, Chief QC offi cer, De- Chairperson, PPVFRA, and Former sharing, we can create a more conducive
partment of Agriculture, Maharashtra Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, empha- environment for innovation and sustain-
spelt out the need for capacity-build- sised that farmers must be at the centre able agricultural practices,” he noted.
ing initiatives to combat seed piracy. of all policy decisions. “Unregistered or He also stressed that the rising threat of
He highlighted that many instances of unknown seed sources compromise qua- seed piracy demands a coordinated effort
seed piracy stem from a lack of aware- lity, putting farmers at risk,” he warned. between policymakers, seed companies,
ness among farmers and industry play- Dr. Mohapatra called for a structured regis- and enforcement agencies.

TRADING TROUBLES
Vasudha Pharma Chem in the docks for fentanyl

precursor imports into US

Hyderabad-based Vasudha Pharma top-ranking employees of the company with tariffs adjustments in case of some
Chem Ltd. (VPC) and three of its em- in New York City. countries.
ployees have been charged in a federal
court in Washington DC in a case re- Fentanyl is a potent opioid drug that The three employees were charged
lated to illegally importing precursor is blamed for widespread drug addiction with multiple counts of manufacturing
chemicals used to make illicit fentanyl. in the US. The Trump administration and distributing a fentanyl precursor
has initiated a crackdown on illegal chemical for unlawful importation into
Federal agents also arrested two of the import of fentanyl and also linked it the United States, and attempting and

140 Chemical Weekly April 1, 2025

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