Plant Breeders' Rights

[wd9]

Still no answer yet on why the US hasn't
turned into the nightmare of royalties
suggested by some after adoption of
UPOV 91.

[parsley]

I'm enjoying my coffee, full bodies beans. But I
think you should be a bit concerned, wd perhaps
read the book Grain Brain. A change in diet may
help your mind recover. Pars

[grower99]

Funding for the many universities in the
US that do public breeding is drying up
so many of them are looking to do
research for private companies to help
pay for the research as well as other
costs associated with the
universities.The football program can
only pay for some of the university
costs. If this trend continues the US
will be similar to Australia with 5 or 6
companies controlling the breeding with
no public breeders. I believe the US
farmers will not allow this to happen!
But I guess this is what is being forced
on us with only certain groups having
input.

[gustgd]

What do you mean by the line?

"But I guess this is what is being forced
on us with only certain groups having input"

Every farm group in the country was given
opportunity. It's a treaty that's been passed since
91 but not given royal ascent.

Like I stated previous EVERY group except the
NFU has a position or policy that supports
something similar that promotes more innovation.

Just because groups/individuals don't get their
way doesn't mean they weren't consulted.

[grower99]

I was under the impression that the ones I
listed earlier did not participate. Am I
correct?

[gustgd]

No you are not correct.

They just didn't sign this letter.

Off to bed now. Will continue in am.

[wd9]

Grower, it would seem you are arguing
yourself into a corner.

Breeding takes money, lots of it.

Public can't do it and needs way more
money.

Private won't do it if there is no
recoup of costs and profit.

Enter UPOV 91.

Pretty simple, if you want to keep
growing AC Barrie, it won't cost you
much. But if you want disease resistant
short straw high yield high protein
sprout tolerant... super seed, its gonna
cost you.

[wd9]

Grain Brain is a misleading and
sensationalist title for a book that
distorts current science and contributes,
sadly, to public confusion about what
constitutes a healthy diet.

[grower99]

Sorry, it's not the public that won't
support public breeding;it appears to be
the federal government has no appetite
to support farmers by keeping public
breeding along side private breeding
programs. Sorry, I grow varieties such
as Unity, Shaw,Strongfield,
Verona...These are great varieties with
no end point royalties and for the first
2 I can plant the harvested grain once
more then repeat buying new seed...Why
did Keystone...not sign on? Where can
one get a copy of the briefs.. from the
others? I assume these briefs offer some
concrete reasons for their support. Just
trying to get some info not start a big
argument.

[gustgd]

Mallee can correct me but in Australia, older
varieties were grandfathered in and only had EPR
for a defined period ie:6 years. So once there is
something new in the pipeline everyone knows
the rules going in.

Don't know about KAPs official position but have
been in meetings where their rep has supported.

I would say in most if not all cases support is
tempered with the thought of how else would we
do it?

Maybe the price farmers will pay in royalties will
be lower due to farmer involvement? In the end
it's really up to commissions to decide. Polling
individual rate payers isn't workable.

Back to the topic of involvement.