Protocols and procedures for tests and trials

To be added to a National List, a variety must be distinct, sufficiently uniform and stable (DUS) and, for agricultural crops, have satisfactory value for cultivation and use (VCU). For a grant of Plant Breeders' Rights to be awarded a variety must be Distinct Uniform and Stable.

DUS tests and VCU trials are carried out at approved centres on behalf of National Authorities, which includes for DUS trials, centres approved by other National Authorities in the EU. The trials on average, are conducted over a two year period. These tests and trials are conducted under protocols and procedures approved by the Plant Variety and Seeds Committee, which represents the National Authorities on seeds matters.

VCU protocols are being revised at present. New protocols will have an associated Procedures document. Procedures will be reviewed annually. As each new document becomes available it will be published here. Existing protocols are available from the PVSD.

Transposition of Directive 2009/97/EC

Use the following link to view the notice announcing the administrative implementation in the UK of Commission Directive 2009/97/EC from 31 December 2009.

Transposition of Directive 2008/83/EC

Use the following link to view the notice announcing the administrative implementation in the UK of Commission Directive 2008/83/EC from 1 October 2008.

Contacts

If you have any queries please contact either:

• Brian Richardson: , tel +44 (0)1223 342396
• Rob Warlow: , tel +44 (0)1223 342355

DUS - protocols

• Barley (100 KB)
• Clover - White (50 KB)
• Festulolium (100 KB)
• Field beans (100 KB)
• Fodder kale (100 KB)
• Linseed (100 KB)
• Oats (100 KB)
• Field Pea and Pea (100 KB)
• Potato (500 KB)
• Ryegrass - Hybrid (100 KB)
• Ryegrass - Italian (100 KB)
• Ryegrass - Perennial (100 KB)
• Swede (100 KB)
• Wheat - (100 KB)
• Winter Oilseed Rape and Fodder Rape (150 KB)
• Sugar Beet (52 KB)
• Brussels Sprouts (1200 KB)
• Turnip Rape (200 KB)
• Rose (250 KB)
• Parsnip (200 KB)
• Turnip (200 KB)
• Onion (100 KB)
• Cabbage (150 KB)
• Carrot (100 KB)
• Broad Bean (100 KB)
• Celery (100 KB)
• Black Radish (100 KB)
• Shallot (100 KB)
• Watercress (100 KB)

VCU - protocols

• Spring Oilseed Rape (30 KB)
• Cereals (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rye and spelt wheat) (100 KB)
• Forage and Grain Maize (30 KB)
• Winter Oilseed Rape (30 KB)
• Field Peas (30 KB)
• Potato (30 KB)
• Field Beans (60 KB)
• Sugar Beet (30 KB)
• White Clover (200 KB)
• Red Clover and Lucerne (200 KB)
• Grasses (Perennial, Italian and Hybrid Ryegrass, Timothy and Festulolium) (200 KB)
• Minor Crops (51 KB)
• Trial Inspection and Data Validation (16 KB)
• Test and Trial Design and Data Handling (15 KB)
• Data Review, Standard Setting and Decision Making (28 KB)

VCU - procedures

• Spring Oilseed Rape (for 2010 harvest) (150 KB)
• Cereals (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rye, spelt wheat) (for 2010 harvest) (400 KB)
• Forage and Grain Maize (for 2009 Harvest) (200 KB)
• Winter Oilseed Rape (for 2010 harvest) (100 KB)
• Field Peas (for 2010 harvest) (100 KB)
• Potato (for 2009 harvest) (450 KB)
• Field Bean (for 2010 harvest) (100 KB)
• Sugar Beet (for 2010 harvest) (250 KB)
• Perennial, Italian and Hybrid Ryegrass, Timothy and Festulolium (for 2009 harvest) (132 KB)
• Red Clover and Lucerne (for 2009 harvest) (100 KB)
• White Clover (for 2009 harvest - revised May 2009) (150 KB)
• Minor Crops (for 2010 harvest) (567 KB)
• Trial Inspection and Data Validation (47 KB)
• Test and Trial Design and Data Handling (36 KB)
• Guidance Note for Data Review, Standard Setting and Decision Making (55 KB)

Community Plant Variety Rights Office - DUS Test protocols

The Community Plant Variety Rights Office develops the technical protocols which determine the characteristics to be used in DUS tests - see Commission Directives 2002/90/EC and 2005/91/EC.