Legislative Chamber Approves Draft Phytosanitary Law in First Reading

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, deputies reviewed and approved in the first reading a draft law aimed at harmonizing Uzbekistan’s legislation on plant quarantine and protection with the provisions of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

The draft introduces amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Liability, as well as to the laws “On Plant Quarantine,” “On Protection and Use of the Plant World,” “On Seed Production,” “On the State Border of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” and “On Plant Protection.” These changes are intended to align national legislation with current international standards.

The law is expected to facilitate the free movement of domestic plants and plant products in international trade, enhance phytosanitary safety, and prevent violations in the field of plant quarantine.

Deputies approved the draft in the first reading, marking an important step toward Uzbekistan’s integration into global trade systems and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.