The changes are intended to better recognise the time, cost and risk involved in developing and introducing new plant varieties, and to support ongoing investment in plant breeding.

What’s changing

The announced changes include:

• extending the maximum term of plant variety rights by 5 years for both existing and new rights
• reinstating availability of enforcement during provisional protection so breeders have improved cover from day one of their rights application
• aligning PVR and patents fee frameworks to support a more sustainable system and help keep fees for PVR users stable over time.

What this means for rights holders

Extending the rights period gives breeders and importers more time to recover the costs of developing new varieties and to reinvest in future breeding programmes.

Reinstating provisional protection means applicants may be able to take action if a new variety is used commercially without authorisation while an application is being assessed.

What happens next

The Government has indicated that a Plant Variety Rights Amendment Bill is expected to be introduced later this year.

IPONZ will provide further information for rights holders and applicants as details are confirmed, including any changes to processes or guidance.

Read the full announcement:

Growers benefit as Govt strengthens plant rights — Beehive.govt.nz