The Breeders Trust, a plant breeders’ rights organization, is launching an international data collection pilot project this year. First of all, she wants to better understand the trade flows of potato seeds.
The use of a central database system for potato varieties should provide greater control over the use of Farm Stored Seeds (FSS). This applies both to the collection of royalties for varieties and to the prevention of the illegal use of raw materials for growing potatoes. The seed companies that are shareholders of Breeders Trust support the data.
An algorithm-driven database system, Plant Breeders Rights (PBR), was developed for the project. This allows you to track the flow of seed from the producer to the end user. According to the Breeders Trust, this should lead to an effective enforcement system in order to be able to collect royalties for seed and for FSS.
Check if the system is working
During the first year, the pilot project will be limited to six European countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Denmark. Seed companies affiliated with the Breeders Trust are allowed to test with one breed next year. The aim is to check if the system works in practice and is sufficiently understood by chain partners.
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Information about the pilot project and the developed data system can be found on the PBR database website. It also lists the varieties of potatoes that the companies originally notified. Traders and manufacturers can register on this website and enter the required data.
Ultimately, the competent royalty collectors from participating countries will be able to have the information needed to map trade flows. They can then use it again for their monitoring activities.
