Intellectual property rights over plant varieties in the UK are known as plant breeders’ rights (PBR). The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) awards rights for the UK.
Adding a plant variety to the UK’s national lists lets you market them. It has a different application process that is separate to plant breeders’ rights. Read guidance on how to add a new plant variety to the national lists.
You can apply for plant breeders’ rights and national listing at the same time for agricultural and vegetable varieties. If you do, you’ll only have to pay for the cost of one application.
If you apply for plant breeders’ rights and national listing separately, you’ll have to pay the cost of 2 applications.
Who can apply for PBR
You can apply for PBR if you’ve:
- bred or developed a plant variety
- been chosen by the breeder as their successor
You cannot apply for rights to a plant you have bred, discovered, or developed for a company that employs you. Your employer must apply for the rights.