Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Why does Canola Breeders charge an End Point Royalty (EPR)?
Canola Breeders invests in research and development of improved canola varieties for the grain belt of southern Australia. Examples are: (i) development of low rainfall canola varieties where Canola Breeders’ varieties are leading the way; (ii) investment in hybrids where Canola Breeders has the world’s only triazine tolerant hybrids in commercial development. In order to fund this R&D, Canola Breeders charges an End Point Royalty (EPR).
With EPRs, Canola Breeders shares the seasonal risk with growers - EPRs are only paid on production, excluding seed saved for sowing next year. Canola Breeders aims to breed successful varieties that growers will adopt and retain on farm. Canola Breeders uses income from EPRs to breed superior varieties with early vigour, pod shatter resistance for direct harvest, alternative herbicide tolerances, blackleg resistance, and higher oil and yield.
On purchasing Canola Breeders seed you will be handed a copy of the Canola Breeders EPR Agreement, which is effectively a Productivity Agreement between the owner (Breeder) of the variety and the farmer (user of the technology). Payment is directly related to productivity of the variety.
Canola Breeders’ EPR Agreement is an agreement by conduct and does not need to be signed. By purchasing a bag of Canola Breeders seed, the purchaser agrees that they have read and understood and agreed to the EPR Agreement. The EPR Agreement document will be mailed by Canola Breeders to all purchasers of seed and may be downloaded from this website here.
May I sell or gift seed of Canola Breeders vareties (for sowing)?
The Plant Breeders Rights Act (1994) prohibits the selling, bartering or giving away, or the unauthorized commercial propagation of any Canola Breeders PBR protected varieties without the written consent of Canola Breeders. All growers must purchase their own seed from Canola Breeders, but may keep it on farm for their own use as seed for future sowing. Sale or use of harvested seed as grain attracts an end point royalty.
May I save seed for sowing?
Yes, the Canola Breeders EPR Agreement allows growers to save seed for their own sowing. This seed does not attract an EPR royalty.
Why purchase certified seed?
Canola Breeders believes in providing growers with quality seed, with a guaranteed minimum germination rate and free of contaminating weed species. When growers purchase Canola Breeders seed, they are guaranteed high quality seed. Canola Breeders follow OECD standards for seed certification and all seed for sowing is tested by independent State Government personnel. Canola Breeders recommends purchasing new Certified seed every 2-3 years.
Canola Breeders is a member of the Australian Seeds Federation and the Australian Oilseeds Federation, and follows industry codes of practice developed by these Federations.
