Farmers will still be able to choose seed varieties that
won’t be subject to any new royalty plan, no matter which
one is adopted or when it begins.
A royalty can’t be applied to varieties already registered
under UPOV’91, the Plant Breeders Rights Bill, Fossay says.
There are several different UPOV agreements, but the last
one Canada signed onto was negotiated in 1991 and legislated
in 2015.
It is a multinational agreement which guarantees plant
breeders have the right to charge a royalty on any new variety
they register. In Canada, that means after 2015 when the
bill was legislated.
Hyra says SeCan’s focus is on the future. This is a 10-to-
15-year project, he says. It’s not an overnight event, it’s a
journey, trying to build something that will benefit the next
generation.
Hyra says he’s spoken to many young farmers and seed
growers in recent months, and reports that for the most
part they’re responsive to the idea of paying a royalty to a
breeder. They understand the benefits a royalty system can
produce, and they’re comfortable with the electronic interactions
any system would require.
Hyra said: “They tell me ‘This is my future, I’m on side
with this.’”
The outcome both Hyra and SeCan are seeking is that,
in the end, a single royalty collection method will prevail as
a two-method approach would only increase administration
costs. FV
SEED ROYALTIES
PARTS • SALES •SERVICE
Agricultural, Lawn and
Garden Equipment
1.204.745.2054
www.greenlandequipment.com
32100 Hwy #3 South
Carman, MB
KAP and the Manitoba Young Farmers Committee would like to express sincere
thanks to the following sponsors of the recent Young Farmers Conference:
24 § Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Spring 2019
/www.greenlandequipment.com
