The Korea Seed & Variety Service (KSVS) is set to exercise stricter restrictions on the illegal distribution and duplication of plant seeds through DNA analysis. (image: wikipedia)
SEJONG, Jun. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Seed & Variety Service (KSVS) is set to exercise stricter restrictions on the illegal distribution and duplication of plant seeds through DNA analysis, according to a statement on June 24.
The KSVS will analyze seeds on the market distributed under different variety names.
According to authorities, specifications about the names and the varieties of seeds should be registered with the KSVS before they can be distributed on the open market.
However, some have been disturbing the market by selling seeds of one variety under different variety names.
The KSVS will collect DNA data of 4,600 varieties of 27 plant species, and persuade suspected illegal sellers into voluntarily canceling their registrations.
The service will intensify its crackdown by working with the special judicial police, and order offenders to serve prison sentences of less than a year, or fine offenders up to 10 million won (US$ 9,010).
Shin Hyun-Kwan, the director general of the KSVS, said that the implementation of a properly functioning market would be essential to successfully developing the seed industry.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
