Bioeconomy Science Institute CEO Mark Piper says the proposed changes recognise the time, investment and partnership needed to turn plant science into enduring value for New Zealand.

“Plant breeding is a long-term, high-investment activity. Developing a successful new cultivar can take decades, and only a small number of varieties ultimately succeed commercially,” says Mr Piper.

“Strong and certain protection settings give breeders, growers and commercial partners greater confidence to invest in the next generation of high-value plant varieties.”

The proposed changes would better reflect the real-world timeframes involved in breeding, testing, growing, scaling and marketing new varieties, particularly for long-cycle crops such as trees, vines and rootstocks.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute also welcomes the proposed restoration of effective provisional protection, which would help protect new varieties from unauthorised use from the point a Plant Variety Rights application is lodged, rather than only once the full examination and grant process has been completed.

“These changes would help protect the value created through New Zealand science, support continued investment and bring more high-value varieties to market,” says Mr Piper.

“That matters because successful cultivars support export growth, regional economies, growers, industry partners and future science.

“When New Zealand-bred cultivars succeed, the benefits come back to New Zealand. At the Bioeconomy Science Institute, 100% of the returns we receive from plant variety royalties are reinvested directly into science for New Zealand’s benefit and the bioeconomy.”

Mr Piper says the Institute looks forward to seeing the full detail of the legislation as it moves through the Parliamentary process.

More information on the Government’s proposed updates to the Plant Variety Rights Act can be found here: 
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/growers-benefit-govt-strengthens-plant-rights