Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives endorsed two bills providing for the Plant Breeders' Right as well as Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge and Rights.

In its 11th regular session on Tuesday, the House endorsed the bills after deliberations on the report presented by the Rural Development and the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Standing committees of the House.

The report presented by the committees indicated that the proclamation providing for Plant Breeders' Rights would enable the private sector play its role in releasing new plant varieties suitable for various ecosystems in the country.

Members of the Standing Committees also said the proclamation would encourage farmers and pastoralists use their genetic resources.

Moreover, the proclamation would encourage investment and paves the way for the utilization of new plant varieties released abroad.

As Ethiopia is on the way to be admitted as member of the World Trade Organization, the Standing Committees pointed out that it became necessary to issue the plant breeders' rights proclamation in tune with the existing realities in the country.

They said the proclamation, which conforms to the rural development policies and strategies as well as the free market policy of the country, would be instrumental to speed up development.

Following the deliberations, the house endorsed the bill with 368 votes and 22 abstentions.

Similarly, the House discussed on the Bill Providing for Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge and Rights after hearing the report presented by the Rural Development, Legal, Information and Cultural Affairs Standing Committees.

The committees indicated in their report that the bill will have a significant importance for the protection of the country's genetic resources as well as the equitable distribution of the benefits of the resources.

The bill would also facilitate the expansion of investment and the realization of the rural development strategy.

The standing committees said the proclamation is indicative of Ethiopia's commitment to implement international conventions signed on genetic resources.

It was indicated that community knowledge and recognition given for community resources would have immense contribution for the protection and preservation the genetic resources of the country.

The House endorsed the proclamation with 375 votes and 16 abstentions.

Some 365 members of the House attended the 11th Regular Session.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency
Original news release: http://www.ena.gov.et/default.asp?CatId=6&NewsId=191992