C/34/14
The President of the Republic,
On a proposal by the Minister of Agriculture,
Taking into consideration Law No.99-42 of May 10, 1999, relating to Seeds, Seedlings and
Plant Varieties, inter alia Article 6;
Taking into consideration Decree No.78-479 of May 2, 1978, Establishing the Tasks,
Membership and Working Methods of the National Advisory Committee on Seeds and
Seedlings;
Taking into consideration the opinion of the Administrative Tribunal;
Hereby decrees:
Article 1. – The Technical Commission for Seeds, Seedlings and Plant Varieties shall
comprise:
- the Presidents of the Sectoral Technical Commissions specified in Article 4 of this Decree: members.
Members of the Commission other than those appointed as a result of their status shall be designated by decision of the Minister of Agriculture following proposals by the parties concerned.
The President of the Commission may call on any person among those noted for their competence, expertise or experience to participate in the work of the Commission in an advisory capacity, or to carry out tasks of an advisory nature for the Commission’s benefit.
Article 2. – The Technical Commission for Seeds, Seedlings and Plant Varieties shall meet, on convocation by its President, at least twice a year and whenever circumstances require.
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Its deliberations shall be valid only when at least half of its members are present. It shall issue opinions supported by a majority of its members and, where it is divided, its President shall have the deciding vote.
The Directorate General for Plant Production attached to the Ministry of Agriculture shall provide the secretariat of the Commission.
Article 3. – Specialized sectoral commissions for different groups and plant species shall be set up within the Technical Commission for Seeds, Seedlings and Plant Varieties.
These specialized sectoral commissions shall be set up and their membership established by decision of the Minister of Agriculture on a proposal by the President of the Technical Commission for Seeds, Seedlings and Plant Varieties; the specialized commissions shall be responsible for studying technical aspects specific to varieties and species within their competence, plant varieties and certification, and for communicating the results of their work to the President of the Technical Commission.
The Technical Commission shall consider these results in accordance with the procedures specified in Article 2 of this Decree.
Article 4. – Decree No.78-479 of May 2, 1978, which establishes the tasks, membership and working methods of the National Advisory Committee on Seeds and Seedlings, is repealed.
Article 5. – The Minister of Agriculture shall be responsible for implementing this Decree, which shall be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia.
Tunis, January 18, 2000.
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali