The Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture (Naktuinbouw) and the Center for Seeds and Seedlings, NARO (NCSS) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 23, 2017 for joint work on DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) test for Plant Variety Protection (PVP) System. The MOU was signed by Mr. Bert Scholte, Head of Variety Testing Department of Naktuinbouw and Mr. Takeshi Ueki, Director-General, Mr. Hideki Maeda, Head of DUS Test Section of NCSS. The signing of the MOU signified the start of enhancing international cooperation to promote partnership and ensure PVP system which protects plant breeders' rights that will eventually promote the breeding of new varieties.
The Naktuinbouw and NCSS are both engaged in conducting DUS tests for examination in PVP to protect new varieties as plants breeder's rights. The agreement for collaboration was aimed at jointly developing calibration manuals for DUS test for new varieties based on the Naktuinbouw calibration book and the NCSS manual for DUS test. Over the next 5 years, both Naktuinbouw and NCSS have agreed to complete 10 harmonized manuals including rose, carnation, lettuce, watermelon etc.
The joint manual will be particularly useful not only for examination of new varieties in Japan and the Netherlands but could also be used in other countries. Japan supports establishing PVP system in East Asian countries in line with the UPOV system, the joint manual which include many photographs explaining how to observe and measure characteristics of varieties will be easy-to-understand reference material for users from these countries.
MOU signing by Mr. Bert Scholte, head of Variety Testing Department, Naktuinbouw (right) and Mr. Takeshi Ueki, Director-General of NCSS (left
Seated from left: Mr. Takeshi Ueki (NCSS Director-General), Dr. Akihiro Sasaki (Senior Vice President), Mr. Bert Scholte (Head of Variety Testing, Naktuinbouw) and Mr. Eiji Shinmoto (Vice-President for Seed・Seedling Management).
Cover page of jointly developed manual for lettuce
