South Perth,
Western
Australia
April 7, 2006
Farmer to
farmer trading of malting barley varieties Baudin and Hamelin is
permitted in Western Australia despite the varieties being
protected under Plant Breeders Rights (PBR).
Department
of Agriculture and Food barley industry development officer
Richard O’Donnell said some growers misunderstood the PBR and
were not aware that Baudin and Hamelin seed was free to trade in
Western Australia.
Mr O’Donnell said under PBR the seed licensee set
the terms and conditions for the use of the varieties.
“In Western Australia, the Grains Research and
Development Corporation and the Department of Agriculture and
Food are the seed licencees and have determined that Baudin seed
can be traded from farmer-to-farmer in Western Australia,” Mr
O’Donnell said.
“However, in the Eastern States where the seed
licence for Baudin is held by AWB Seeds, farmer-to-farmer
trading is not permitted.
“Hamelin seed is free to trade in WA and
has not been commercially released in other States.”
Mr O’Donnell said Hamelin and Baudin were subject
to crop improvement royalties (CIR), otherwise known as end
point royalties, for every tonne of grain produced and sold by
growers.
In Western Australia, Baudin and Hamelin are
subject to a $3/ tonne CIR for grain delivered for malting and
$1/ tonne for grain delivered as feed.
Detailed
information about Plant Breeders Rights and trading conditions
of field crops in Western Australia is provided in the 2006 Crop
Variety Sowing Guide available on-line at
www.agric.wa.gov.au. |