MPs to review unified GCC law on plant genetic resources

TDT | Manama

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Seeds and plant genetic resources would come under a unified GCC rulebook in Bahrain under a draft law due to be debated by MPs.

The Council of Representatives is expected to consider the Public Utilities and Environment Committee’s report on the bill approving the Unified GCC Regulation (Law) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, attached to Decree No. 65 of 2025.

The committee has recommended approval in principle. The draft law contains a preamble and eight articles.

Authority

It approves the unified regulation and defines the ‘competent authority ’ as the government body to be named by decree to apply its provisions.

The head of that authority would issue a decision forming the national committee established under Article 5 of the unified regulation, and would set out its remit and how it works.

A separate decision would fix the bands of fees due for licences and services. It would be issued by the head of the competent authority after Cabinet approval.

The bill also lays out a route for grievances against decisions issued under the unified regulation, its executive regulations and related decisions.

Notification

An affected party would have 30 days from notification by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, or electronically, to submit a grievance to the competent authority.

The competent authority would have 30 days to decide, and silence after that period would count as a refusal.

A challenge to a refusal could then be filed before the competent court within 30 days from notification of the refusal, or from the point it is treated as refused.