Varieties

To apply for the listing of the variety in the Estonian  Republic is required:

• A completed, signed application form
• A completed technical questionnaire

Please note that all applications and documents must be in Estonian or English, or accompanied by a translation.

The application must bear an original signature.

Application forms etc may be submitted by e-mail to meet closing dates.

The applicant may be:

• An owner of the variety
• A representative of the variety
• Maintainer of the variety

Legal persons and citizens of non-EU states shall submit an application through a representative.

Closing date of application for spring crops and grasses is 15. March, for winter crops 15. July.

In case of varieties of hay plants not intended for production of feeding stuffs according to the information from the plant breeder only data on resistance to winter and diseases are taken into account upon listing the variety in the Variety List.

Address and contact persons:

Chief Specialist Mrs. Ivi Loper 
Agriculture and Food Board
Services Oriented Support and Operations Department
Vabaduse plats 4
71020 Viljandi
ESTONIA
Phone   +372 5251812
e-mail: [email protected]

Quantity of seed, required for 2 testing years (except potatoes):
(i.e. a sum for all testing places)

Closing date for delivery seed:

• for spring crops and grasses is March, 15
• for winter oilseed rape is July, 15
• for winter cereals is August, 1

The seed  and seed potato sent for trials should meet the requirements established for certified seed or seed potato and should chemically untreated in most species. Rapeseed, turnip rapeseed, maize can be treated, except for the standard sample quantity, which should be untreated. The seed and seed potato should be visibly healthy, not lacking in vigour or affected by any important pest or disease and sent to Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge on applicant’s treat. You should ad data concerning germination and 1000 seed weight.

Address for seed delivery and contact person:

Coordinator of VCU testing Mrs. Ülle Soorm
Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge
Viljandi Variety Testing Center
Männi tee 5
Matapera EE-71065
Viljandimaa
ESTONIA
Phone +372 43 34 406
e-mail: [email protected]

Minimum number of testing years:

• Annual crops – 2 years
• Perennial crops – 2-3 years

Minimum number of testing places:

Testing fees are payable according to the invoice to Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, which applicant will receive with testing results.
The price list of the VCU and DUS test can be found here.

Agriculture and Food Board Plant Health and Propagating Material Department will analyse 2 testing year results and make a proposal for Variety Listing Board. The Board will decide finally listing or cancellation. Plant Health and Propagating Material Department is responsible for all relations with applicant, registration and keeping files and register.

When the applicant has paid fees, the variety will be added on the Variety List.

The applicant has to pay following fees concerning of variety listing:

• Application fee 25 €
• Annual maintenance fee for National List:

                Cereals, spring rape and potato varieties            1st to 10th years         30 €
                                                                                                    subsequent years       50 €

                Other species                                                                                                  25 €

The official variety testing for Plant Breeders’ Rights is carried out in accordance with The Law of the Protection of New Varieties, based on the UPOV 1991 Convention. Testing includes examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS).

The Agriculture and Food Board has the overall responsibility for the administrative and technical tasks.

Address and contact persons of Registration Office:

Councillor Ms. Laima Puur
Agriculture and Food Board
Services Oriented Support and Operations Department
Vabaduse sq. 4
Viljandi 71020
ESTONIA
Phone +372 501 6143
E-mail: [email protected]

Administrative tasks of Registration Office

• receipt applications for the registration of new varieties
• receipt applications for entry for protection, inclusive further proceedings
• co-operation with other countries about technical matters, receipt of DUS reports
• administration of proposals for variety denominations
• publishing of Gazette for Plant Breeders‘ Rights and National List of Plant Varieties
• preparation of payment of fees

Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (CERRK) is responsible for conducting DUS tests for filed peas and cereals.

Address and contact persons of CERRK:

Coordinator of DUS and Post-control trials Ms Liis Kurg
Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge
Viljandi Variety Testing Centre
Männi tee 5
Matapera EE-71065
Viljandimaa
ESTONIA
Phone +372 43 34 054
E-mail: [email protected]

The applicant shall pay all fees for technical examination to the account of Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge. Other tests are organized by Registration Office with co-operation with Member States of the European Community, UPOV countries or other agreements and paid accordingly to bill.

Length of protection is 25 years, for trees and grapevine 30 years.

For granting Plant Breeders’ Rights can be used only original application formula, which should be sent to the Registration Office together with a technical questionnaire and the confirmation of the ownership of the variety.

Applicants domiciled in the European Community can use an official representative who is the resident of the Community. Applicants domiciled in other countries must have a representative within the Community. The representative may be a person or a firm. The Office orders registration trials, or when DUS examination is already carried out, orders DUS report. The applicant should pay for the trials and/or final report.

Fees payable to the Registration Office:
 

• application fee                    80 €
• annual fee:

                 first to tenth years       65
                 subsequent years        80 €

• for any entry to Register    10€
• copy of certificate                7 €
• for a request of any true copy of items of Register    2 €

According to the statue Agriculture and Food Board has no right to collect money. We cannot send invoice, only inform you about fees and account number of bank.