HC Deb 14 December 1961 vol 651 cc600-1
1. Mr. Kimball

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to introduce legislation implementing the Report by the Committee on Transactions in Seeds in favour of protection for plant breeders' rights, in view of the fact that the British agricultural industry is being deprived of important new seed varieties.

5. Mr. B. Harrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the second Report of the Committee on Transactions in Seeds.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Christopher Soames)

The Government have given detailed consideration to the proposals of the Committee on Transactions in Seeds concerning plant breeders' rights and also to the Committee's earlier proposals concerning seeds, and have decided to accept and give effect to most of the Committee's recommendations on these subjects. I recognise that in due course legislation will be involved and we are making plans for this.

Mr. Kimball

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his Answer will give great pleasure to all the interests concerned who are extremely grateful for the way his Department has expedited this reply? Could my right hon. Friend say when he expects to sign the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants which five European countries have now signed? Is he aware that until we sign the Convention there is grave danger that our plant breeders will he deprived of new varieties which are being developed by countries which will be reluctant to release them to countries where there are no royalty arrangements?

Mr. Soames

I take the point made by my hon. Friend. Now that we have decided to go forward with this we have to see how it fits in with the Convention. If it fits in, it is something which we might well be able to decide to do in the future.

Mr. Harrison

Cannot my hon. Friend announce a date from which it would be possible retrospectively to patent plant breeders' rights? A number of new varieties will be held up until legislation is passed.

Mr. Soames

No, Sir. I am afraid that I could not do that today.