The Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964

This Act protects the rights of producers of new cultivars. The registration of a new cultivar is acceptable only when its characteristics are shown to be significantly different from any existing type. Successful registration enables the plant breeder to control the licence for the cultivar’s propagation, whether by seed or vegetative methods. Separate schemes operate for the individual genera of horticultural and agricultural crops, but all breeding activities may benefit from the 1964 Act. Producers of licenced plants pay a royalty fee to the breeder.