By KYIV. Dec 8 (Interfax-Ukraine) – President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a European integration law on amending certain laws on bringing legislation in protecting plant variety rights and seed production in line with the provisions of European Union law, according to the website of the Verkhovna Rada.
The law harmonizes Ukrainian legislation with the legislation of the European Union in the field of protection of rights to plant varieties, seed production and seedlings and simplifies the registration of plant varieties already registered in the EU and the United States. The effect of the law will allow supplying seeds of the latest varieties to Ukrainian farmers simultaneously with EU and U.S. agricultural producers for crops that are strategically important for Ukraine, in particular, corn, sunflower, soybeans, blueberries.
The law, in particular, introduces electronic services for obtaining permits for the import of seed samples for research purposes; establishes criteria for the authorization of certification bodies, in particular, the availability of their own accredited laboratory.
The law also simplifies the procedure for importing seeds and planting material into the territory of Ukraine, information about which is contained in the register of plant varieties of Ukraine.
In addition, the law abolishes the long-term and organizationally complex procedure of formal examination and introduces the procedure for consideration of a variety application and examination of a variety name within less than 20 days.
