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Plant varieties
Plant breeders, ranging from individuals to multi-national companies, are engaged in producing new varieties with improvements in agronomic, environmental and end-use characteristics. The introduction of new varieties for major agricultural and horticultural crops is regulated through a process known as National Listing. For those species within the scope of the legislation, National Listing is a pre-requisite for marketing a plant variety.
A specific form of intellectual property right, known as Plant Breeders' Rights, applies to plant varieties. Breeders can choose whether or not to apply for plant breeders' rights, which enable them to charge royalties for protected varieties. Royalties provide a means for breeding companies to fund their work.
What's new
21 June 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the June edition has been published.
17 June 2009 - Guidelines for Listing and marketing Conservation Varieties ready for the implementation date of 30 June 2009 are now available and can be viewed by following the links below.
- Guidelines for making a National List application in respect of a conservation variety
- Guidelines for marketing seed of agricultural conservation varieties in England and Wales
27 May 2009 - Protocols and procedures for tests and trials: the VCU Procedures for White Clover has been revised.
19 May 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the May edition has been published.
24 April 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the April edition has been published.
21 April 2009 - Protocols and procedures for tests and trials: the VCU Procedures for Minor Crops and White Clover have been revised.