New Zealand: Farm-saved seed honour system ready to roll

The long-debated farm-saved seed royalties system is ready for wheat and barley growers. Launched at the annual New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) industry grains and pulses forum in Ashburton, the project is “set to fly”, association general manager Thomas Chin told farmers. “We are calling in all wheat and barley growers to the online declaration form now available for cereal growers to record their use of farm-saved seed.” Chin said the system, administered by the seed industry office and found on the farm-saved seed system site www.farmsavedseed.co.nz, aims to collect royalties on plant variety rights (PVR) protected seeds that have been saved and replanted during the current production year. The system is built on new provision in the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 to ensure fair returns to plant breeders. Varieties in application for and granted PVR will automatically enter the eligibility list. Under a voluntary declaration, farmers who save and replant ...