Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Agriculture Ministry has threatened to revoke PT Bangun Pusaka`s license to import hybrid paddy seeds of the Chinese Long Ping variety because the company had failed to develop the variety at home after importing the seeds for two years.
Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said here on Friday that based on regulations, the paddy seeds importer was allowed to import the agricultural commododity only for two years after which it had to develop the variety in the country.
"But there has been no indication that the Long Ping hybrid paddy seeds importer is developing the variety. Therefore, we will revoke its license," the minister said.
He said the government granted PT Bangun Pusaka a license to import Long Ping hybrid paddy seeds from China in 2004 and the license should have expired in 2006.
However, the minister said, the government would still give a chance to the company to import the seeds this year because the government hoped the import would help its program of increasing the country`s rice production by two million tons in 2007.
"Next year, the company should start to cultivate and develop the seeds at home, or otherwise it will have its license revoked," the minister added.
The minister said on Thursday the government was not restricting the import of hybrid paddy seeds but expected that it would not exceed 50 percent of national need.
He made the statement on the sidelines of the 35th anniversary of Agriculture Day here on Thursday.
He said the national need for hybrid paddy seeds reached 5,000 tons so it was expected the import of paddy seeds would not exceed 2,500 tons.
The minister said the government had not imposed any official restriction on the import of hybrid paddy seeds by the private sector because the market absorption at home was still small.
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