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Jul 15, 2025 (Newsletter Issue 7/25)
South Africa
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New Plant Breeders’ Rights Act in force


South Africa’s new Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Act came into effect on 1 June 2025, bringing major changes to how plant varieties are protected. The old 1976 law was replaced, and the new law aligns South Africa with international standards.

Some key changes include longer protection terms, up to 30 years for crops like fruit trees, potatoes, sugar cane and vines, and 25 years for all other crops. Breeders now get provisional protection as soon as they file. Importantly, using a protected variety without permission is now a criminal offence. The law also protects products made from harvested material and sets clearer rules for when plant material must be submitted for testing.

This new legal framework modernizes South Africa’s plant variety protection system and introduces stricter compliance measures for commercial users.

Source: www.bergenthuin.com