Introduction

Variety innovation
The Netherlands is the global market leader in the development of new potato

varieties and the export of certified seed potatoes. This is the achievement of the

Dutch potato sector, and is of great benefit to the Dutch economy. Breeders’ efforts

in developing new varieties will also be of great importance in the future because

consumer demands will keep changing.

 

Potato breeding contributes greatly towards the profitability – and hence the

future – of agriculture. Breeding leads to ever-more productive varieties, and to

major improvements in quality and resistance to diseases. Changes in production

conditions and social developments also make it necessary to invest time and money

in constant varietal development. And to ensure continuous development in the

future, the Dutch government aims to create favourable preconditions for the sector,

with due allowance for economical interests.

 

An effective system for protecting plant breeders’ rights is absolutely essential for

encouraging breeding efforts. Such a system entitles breeders to claim royalties

and recover the expenses they have incurred in developing a new variety. As a

result, they are able to keep developing new, improved varieties. Without effective

protection of the intellectual property of new varieties, no private breeding efforts

would be made. In the Netherlands plant breeders’ rights are protected by the

Zaaizaad- en plantgoedwet (Seeds and planting material act) which, like the

European breeders’ regulations, is based on the 1991 UPOV Convention (UPOV =

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants).

 

This act has designated one organisation responsible for the granting of plant

breeders’ rights and the registration of varieties. Under the terms of this act,

growers may not use seed potatoes of varieties protected by plant breeders’

rights without notifying the licensing organisation. Moreover, growers must pay

the licensing organisation a fee for using seed potatoes they have multiplied

themselves.

 

The system must, of course, be efficient with respect to the testing of new varieties

for the purpose of protection by plant breeders’ rights. In the past few years the

Dutch government has implemented a major change and made all research relating

to plant breeders’ rights the responsibility of a single organisation: Naktuinbouw,

the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture. Naktuinbouw in turn made the

NAK (Stichting Nederlandse Algemene Keuringsdienst; Dutch General Inspection Service for Agricultural Seed and Seed Potatoes) responsible for carrying out potato

research, as this foundation already conducts inspections of agricultural crops and

has the required potato expertise. Naktuinbouw and the NAK aim to conduct the

research at a high quality level and at acceptable costs. This research structure is

very powerful within the European Union.

 

The Seeds and planting material act also contains rules relating to the registration

of varieties and the quality of seed potatoes. The rules in question are based entirely

on the directives of the European Community. As an independent body operating

under the auspices of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality,

the NAK is by this act designated the authority responsible for ensuring that growers

meet the requirements laid down in the aforementioned directives.

On behalf of the ministry, the NAK inspects seed potatoes and other crops

and issues plant passports. The phytosanitary work is supervised by the

Plantenziektenkundige Dienst (Plant Protection Service).

As far as registration is concerned, varieties must comply with the requirements

relating to identity and the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU).

 

In addition to the many other issues in which the government is required to

play a role, such as those relating to phytosanitary aspects, crop protection and

manure policy, I would in particular like to mention the encouraging role the Dutch

government aims to continue to play in the fi elds of research, know-how and

innovation.

In the Netherlands, the breeding sector, agricultural knowledge institutes and

universities have jointly established the Technologisch Topinstituut voor de Groene

Genetica (Technological Top Institute for Green Genetics), with support of the Dutch

government. The aim of this institute is to help the Dutch breeding sector to retain

its leading position in potatoes and other crops. In addition, the government is

supporting the development of a potato variety with long-term resistance to late

blight. If it leads to the desired results, this project will represent a major advance

towards minimising the use of crop protection agents in potato cultivation, and it

will be of great economical benefit.

 

The Dutch government is willing to support the further development of the necessary

framework for the potato sector. Together with the stakeholders, we will continue to

make efforts to meet our responsibilities, and in doing so help to ensure a healthy future for the potato sector. The Netherlands catalogue of potato varieties

contributes significantly to this effort.

 

Chris van Winden,

account manager propagating material

Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality