KUALA LUMPUR, December 29 – Over 100 farmers’ organizations and civil society groups have called on the Malaysian government to halt the tabling of the Plant Seed Quality Bill in Parliament, citing a lack of transparent consultations with small-scale farmers and relevant stakeholders. The groups argue that the Bill imposes excessive licensing requirements and penalties on farmers, potentially stifling traditional seed-sharing practices and increasing monopolies by large seed companies.
The Forum Kedaulatan Makanan Malaysia (FKMM) and other groups have criticized the regulatory process, highlighting the absence of proper consultations prior to the Bill’s drafting. They claim that the proposed legislation could harm agrobiodiversity, escalate costs for farmers, and conflict with international farmers’ rights. The groups have urged the government to engage in comprehensive and transparent discussions with all affected parties to ensure a fair and equitable outcome.
