Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Apr 1974

Vol. 271 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Potato Varieties.

1.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in respect of new varieties of the potato bred in Ireland, he will indicate (a) their position in EEC countries, and (b) the royalties payable to Irish producers from EEC countries.

Under the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, royalties for the reproduction of a new variety of potato or other plant are obtainable only when the breeder of the new variety has been granted plant breeders' rights in one of the six countries which have ratified the convention. These countries are Denmark, France, West Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and UK, five of which are EEC member states. Private arrangements outside the provisions of the convention could, of course, be reached between the breeder of a new variety and commercial interests abroad whereby the latter would pay royalties to the breeder for the commercial reproduction of his plant material.

My Department and An Foras Talúntais are the only breeders of new potato varieties in this country. One new potato variety bred by my Department was granted plant breeders' rights in the UK in 1973, but it has not yet been fully commercialised and no royalties have been received. An Foras Talúntais have bred four new potato varieties in respect of which plant breeders' rights in the UK were applied for last year but have not yet been granted. Plant breeders' rights have not been sought for these five varieties in any country other than the UK.

Top
Share