Georgia: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources discussed the draft law “On New Species of Animals and Plants” in the first reading of the Law of Georgia.
According to Giorgi Tsagareishvili, Member of Parliament, as a result of the adoption of the law, a competent entity emerges, which has the resources and ability to conduct tests, complete the value chain related to plant selection and their breeder’s right, meet small market demand and inspire new demand in the full value chain.
According to the MP, after breeding a new variety, the breeder will not be able to register the relevant right because there is no accredited entity in Georgia that will test the plant for the registration of the breeder’s special right for diversity, uniformity and stability. Accordingly, the purpose of the bill is to protect the rights of the plant breeder.
Gia Tsagareishvili also noted that the adoption of the amendment brings Georgian legislation in line with the International Convention for the Protection of New Plant Species.
” The proposed legislative initiative is important because, in many cases, breeders are prevented from making profitable new varieties created by them. “Given the many impacts of climate change, this initiative is even more important,” said Khatia Tsilosani, deputy chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Today, the Committee presented in the first reading “Maia Menagarishvili, Ketevan Dumbadze, Ramina (Rima) Beradze, Irakli Medzmariashvili, Maia Bitadze, Nodar Turdzeladze, Irma Zavradashvili, Beka Davituliani” And “On Amendments to the Law on Green Plants and Special Protection of the State Forest Fund within the borders of the city of Tbilisi and the surrounding area.”
The draft laws aim at protecting green plants within the administrative boundaries of Tbilisi Municipality and doubling the fines in case of their damage. In particular, for damaging, cutting, transplanting a tree or otherwise damaging green plants without permission, the fine will increase from 500 to 5000 GEL, and the fine imposed for repeated cases of the same action will increase from 1000 GEL to 10,000 GEL.
” The facts of unauthorized cutting of green plants have revealed several problems that need to be regulated. Despite existing regulations, in practice, we often encounter cases of unauthorized destruction of green plants, which means that there is a need to tighten controls. “At the same time, the adoption of the bill will be a kind of prevention and signal for potential offenders not to commit the relevant offences, as they will be subject to much stricter sanctions,” – said Beka Davituliani.
The Committee supported the bills discussed in the first reading.