The Department of Agriculture, Western Australia is seeking input from industry about proposed changes to its grain variety release process and its method of collecting end point royalties.

The Department is the major grain crop breeding organisation in Western Australia and releases an average of four new varieties each year.

Department commercialisation officer Tresslyn Walmsley said the process used to release a variety could have significant impact on the uptake and life of the variety. 

“In 2002, the Department introduced the ‘grower direct’ system and has made minor adjustments to this system over the past three years,” Ms Walmsley said.

“The aim of the current variety release system is to promote the rapid adoption of Department varieties and create a competitive seed market to prevent high seed prices.

“It provides an opportunity for all levels of seed marketers to operate in WA and ensures that quality seed is available for sale. 

While retaining those advantages, the Department wants to change the system to allow the Department and the other equity owners to receive acknowledgment and brand recognition for the varieties.

Equally, Ms Walmsley said the efforts of all the stakeholders should be recognised and each given the opportunity to receive equitable remuneration for their contribution.

She said the review process would investigate open trading or farmer to farmer trading, the way end end point royalties were applied, exclusive versus non exclusive licenses and modification of the ‘Grower Direct’ system.

“The use of end point royalties is being widely adopted across the grains industry and as part of this review, the Department is investigating an alternative method for collecting its royalties,” Ms Walmsley said.

“Currently the seed licensee adds a profit margin to the seed sales.  Growers frequently state that the high price of seed is one of the key barriers to rapidly adopting new varieties.” 

Two discussion papers have been prepared by the Department for public consultation and are available by contacting Ms Walmsley on 0404 819 543.

The Department is seeking written submissions on the topic. Submissions need to identify the role the person plays in industry and must be received by 24 March 2005.

Submisisons should be posted to Tresslyn Walmsley at the Department of Agriculture care of RSM 184 Busselton WA 6280, faxed to 9753 1068, or emailed to twalmsley@agric.wa.gov.au