PLANT IMPROVEMENT ACT 53 OF 1976 [ASSENTED TO 29 MARCH 1976] [DATE OF COMMENCEMENT: 1 JUNE 1980] (except ss. 23 and 24: 1 December 1983 and except s. 42, in so far as it relates to a Seed Certification Scheme or an Export Seed Scheme introduced under s. 14 of Act 28 of 1961: 1 November 1985.) (English text signed by the State President) as amended by Plant Improvement Amendment Act 10 of 1979 Agricultural Pests Act 36 of 1983 Plant Improvement Amendment Act 39 of 1983 Plant Improvement Amendment Act 17 of 1991 Plant Improvement Amendment Act 25 of 1996 Abolition of Restrictions on the Jurisdiction of Courts Act 88 of 1996 ACT To provide for the registration of premises from which the sale of certain plants or the cleansing, packing and sale of certain propagating material may be undertaken; to prescribe the conditions subject to which such plants or propagating material may be sold for the purposes of cultivation; to provide for the recognition of certain varieties of plants; for a system of certification of plants and propagating material with the object of maintaining the quality of certain plants and propagating material, and ensuring the usefulness of the products thereof for agricultural and industrial purposes; and for the control of the import and export of certain plants and propagating material; and to provide for incidental matters. [Long title substituted by s. 29 of Act 25 of 1996.] 1 Definitions In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise- 'advertise' means to distribute to members of the public or to bring to their notice in any manner whatsoever any written, illustrated, visual or other descriptive material, oral statement, communication, representation or reference with the intention to promote the sale of any plant or propagating material, or to encourage the use thereof or to draw attention to the nature, properties, advantages or uses thereof or to the manner in which or the conditions on which it may be purchased or otherwise be acquired; 'authorized person' means a person (other than an officer) authorized in terms of section 3 (3) (a); [Definition of 'authorized person' inserted by s. 1 (a) of Act 39 of 1983.]