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.

Complete National Lists and current Grants of Plant Breeders' Rights can be found in the latest Special Edition and subsequent editions of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette.

What's new

16 November 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the November edition has been published.

5 November 2009 - Plant Breeders' Rights & National List information letter 5/09 has been published: containing information on: UK/EC PBR applications, procedural explanation; rose applications, increase in plant material required; withdrawals, procedural explanation; November NLSC decisions, combinable crops (Cereals/Oilseeds/Pulses); revised closing dates for ornamentals; various VCU procedures for harvest 2010 have been published.

4 November 2009 - Protocols and Procedures for Tests and Trials: the VCU Procedures for Winter Oilseed Rape for 2010 harvest have been published.

28 October 2009 - Protocols and Procedures for Tests and Trials: the VCU Protocol for Minor Crops has been amended to show amalgamation of Mustard species into one protocol and the addition of a protocol for forage Rye.

27 October 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the October edition has been published.

21 October 2009 - Protocols and Procedures for Tests and Trials: the VCU Procedures for Spring Oilseed Rape for 2010 harvest have been published.

15 October 2009 - Protocols and Procedures for Tests and Trials: the combinable crop element of the Minor Crop VCU Procedures have been revised for the 2010 harvest.

6 October 2009 - Protocols and Procedures for Tests and Trials: the VCU Procedures for Cereals, Field Peas and Field Beans for 2010 harvest have been published.

28 September 2009 - Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette: the September edition has been published.