Gareth Edgecombe says proposed changes to PVR Act will provide greater confidence for investment in new products
The chief executive of T&G Global has welcomed a proposed update to the New Zealand’s legal protections for plant varieties.
Gareth Edgecombe said the changes to the Plant Variety Rights (PVR) Act 2022 put forward by the government would strengthen the horticulture sector’s ability to compete globally and return increased value to the country.
“New Zealand has an enviable global reputation for innovating and developing some of the world’s best plant varieties and growing them into high-value, global premium brands, like T&G’s billion-dollar Envy apple,” he said. “It takes significant investment and time to create and commercialise new plant varieties.
He pointed out that development of Scilate, the variety now sold under the Envy brand, involved two decades of breeding and testing, followed by years of investment by T&G to build the kind of joined-up supply chain that would support a premium, global brand.
“Within this, our network of growers has invested considerably in plantings and building highly productive commercial orchards. Protecting this investment through a strong IP protection regime is essential,” he commented.
“The Government’s amendments will strengthen the PVR framework and provide New Zealand’s horticulture sector with further confidence to invest in the development of innovative new varieties, expand orchards and businesses, grow exports, and deliver value back to New Zealand’s breeders, research partners, growers, regional communities and economy.”
He added: “On behalf of T&G, we thank the government for their engagement with the sector on this important piece of legislation and we look forward to supporting it as it moves through the parliamentary process.”
