Seeds (Certification and Standards) Act, 1972 N.R.C.D. 100 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months or to both the fine and the imprisonment. 4. Seizure of seeds or package (I) An inspector may seize a seed or a package in respect of which an offence is committed under this Act. (2) A seed or a package seized under subsection (1) shall be retained by the inspector, but (a) if proceedings are not commenced against the person from whom the seed or package was seized within six months of the seizure, the seed or package shall be restored to that person, or (b) if that person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the seed or package shall be forfeited by the Court before which that person was convicted. (3) A seed or a package forfeited by the Court under subsection (2) (b) shall be delivered as soon as practicable to the Chief Seed Multiplication Officer who may dispose of the seed or package. 5. Analysts For the purposes of this Act, the Minister may appoint a qualified person as an analyst who shall examine seeds or samples of seeds which an inspector may refer to the analyst. . 6. Certificate of analyst A certificate duly signed by an analyst stating that the analyst has examined seeds or the samples of seeds referred to the analyst by an inspector and stating the results of the examination is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the certificate. 7. Offences by bodies of persons (1) Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body of persons then, (a) in the case of a body corporate other than a partnership, every director, secretary or similar officer of the body corporate shall be deemed to have committed that offence; (b) in the case of a partnership, every partner or officer of the partnership shall be deemed to have committed that offence. (2) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under subsection (I) if it is proved that the offence was committed without the knowledge or connivance of, and that due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence was exercised by, that person having regard to the circumstances. 8. Regulations The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make Regulations (a) establishing a national seed committee and prescribing the functions of the committee; VII - 953 [Issue I]