540.76 Checklist for Plant Selection Studies

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  The                                                                  
  following                                                            
  checklist                                                            
  may be used                                                          
  to track                                                             
  the                                                                  
  progress of                                                          
  a Plant                                                              
  Selection                                                            
  Study as                                                             
  well as                                                              
  serving to                                                           
  identify                                                             
  the proper                                                           
  order for                                                            
  items to be                                                          
  completed                                                            
  when making                                                          
  a plant                                                              
  release.                                                             

              **Item**                                                 **Date
                                                                       Completed**

  1\.         A study plan has been prepared identifying the goals of  
              the proposed release.                                    

  2\.         Adequate consideration has been given to existing        
              releases of the species to avoid duplication of efforts. 

  3\.         Evaluation data has been summarized showing              
              justification for this release.                          

  4\.         Advanced evaluation documentation has been prepared.     

  5\.         The plant being released has been adequately identified  
              as to genus, species, and subspecies, if appropriate.    

  6\.         The plant has undergone the Environmental Evaluation     
              process and will not pose significant adverse effects on 
              the environment. The release has been subjected to the   
              considerations referenced in Sections 540.33(A)(3) and   
              Section 540.80.                                          

  7\.         The cultivar or pre-varietal name has received clearance 
              from the NPMC.                                           

  8\.         The approved name is being registered with the           
              appropriate authorities.                                 

  9\.         Consideration has been given to the desirability of      
              seeking protection under the PVPA or patent statute.     

  10\.        Adequate seed, plants, or other propagules are available 
              to meet expected demand by commercial producers.         

  11\.        A date has been estimated when seed or plants will be    
              available commercially, which will serve as a public     
              release date for promotional purposes.                   

  12\.        An information campaign has been developed to promote    
              the new release as per Section 540.34(H). This is to     
              include a schedule for special demonstration plantings   
              (Section 540.17(D)), if any are planned.                 

  13\.        A release notice has been prepared.                      

  14\.        Plant Materials Release Package has been provided to the 
              PM Release Committee through a Regional Plant Materials  
              Specialist for review.                                   

  15          All required signatures for the notice have been         
              obtained. [Note: The release is official on the date of  
              the last signature, which is always the Director,        
              ECS.]{.underline}                                        

  16\.        The NPMC has been contacted regarding long-term storage  
              of material in the National Plant Germplasm System       
              (NPGS).                                                  

  17\.        A paper copy of all documentation for the release        
              (including evaluation documentation, cultivar name       
              registration forms, [signed]{.underline} release notice, 
              and any articles, release brochures, and planting        
              guides) has been distributed to cooperators on the       
              release and an electronic copy of these materials has    
              been sent to the NPMC.                                   
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