USDA announces hemp cultivators can now apply for plant variety protection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Wednesday that hemp cultivators can now start applying for seed-propagated hemp for plant variety protection from the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO)

PVPO provides intellectual property protection to breeders of new varieties of seeds and tubers. Implementing the Plant Variety Protection Act, PVPO examines new applications and grants certifications that protect varieties for 20 years.

Certificate owners have rights to exclude others from marketing and selling their varieties, managing the use of their varieties by other breeders, and enjoy legal protection of their work.

Applicants can now begin submitting their applications through the electronic application filing system, choosing hemp from the dropdown box.

USDA has vocally stated that the department has no intention to rush the rulemaking process, but Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has stated his expectation that rules should be in place in time for the 2020 planting season.