GUELPH, ON (December 16, 2013) – A new Act has been introduced to improve Plant Breeders' Rights in Canada.
Bill C-18, the Canadian Agricultural Growth Act, has been presented and given first reading in the House of Commons. The bill contains amendments to 8 difference pieces of legislation, including updates to Canada's Plant Breeders' Rights Act which will modernize the Act and harmonize it with the 1991 convention of the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV '91).
The new act will give both public and private sector plant breeders the ability and confidence to continue to develop new seed varieties needed to improve yields and keep Canada competitive on the world market. The act will also encourage new product development and research.
UPOV '91 also contains a clause which will allow farmers to save their own seed for their own farm operation when the variety is not covered by contract law.