In Morocco, seed activity began in the early 1920s. The first legislation regulating seed production was enacted in the 1940s. However, the basis of the current regulations dates back to 1969, when the dahir was promulgated, which regulates the production and marketing of seeds and plants. This dahir was modified and completed in 1977. For its implementation, texts have been promulgated and concern:
– The official catalogue;
– Seed control and certification;
– Plant control and certification;
– Import and marketing of seeds and seedlings.
Before 1980, the tasks of variety registration, control and certification of seeds and plants were carried out by the agronomic research services. These services also provided the missions of varietal creation and production of pre-base and base seeds. They were in a situation of both judges and parties. From 2010, the date of the reorganization of the ministry, the aforementioned missions are carried out by the National Office of Food Safety (Division of Seed and Plant Control).
The legal and regulatory arsenal relating to the seed and plant sector was supplemented by the enactment in 1997 of Law 9-94 on the protection of plant breeders’ rights. This law entered into force on 28 October 2002, the date of publication of its implementing texts in the Official Bulletin.
It should also be noted that the Moroccan seed and plant regulations are developed in accordance with the provisions of international regulations, methods and standards. This has enabled our country to join or to fulfil the conditions of equivalence to several international organizations (ISTA, OECD, WTO, UPOV, EU).