Add a new plant variety to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-25)

How to apply for variety listing of agricultural and vegetable plant varieties in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI).

You must add a new plant variety to the UK’s GB and NI Variety Lists if you want to market them. You could be prosecuted if you do not.

The monthly Seeds Gazette (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020) publishes information on variety list applications for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists, including:
- applications made
- applications withdrawn
- proposed decisions to accept or refuse a plant variety on to the GB and NI Variety Lists
- decisions of the tribunal made on an appeal
- changes to a variety list award or application
You can use the Gazette to follow the progress of an application through the variety listing process.

The special edition (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020) publishes the approved Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists of:
- agricultural plant species
- vegetable plant species
Plant breeders’ rights give you intellectual property rights over your plant varieties in the UK. This is a separate application to variety listing. You can apply for plant breeders’ rights (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plant-breeders-rights), if you’ve:
- bred, discovered or developed a plant variety
- been chosen by the breeder as their successor
You can apply for variety listing and plant breeders’ rights at the same time for agricultural and vegetable varieties. If you do, you’ll only have to pay for the cost of one application.

If you apply for variety listing and plant breeders’ rights separately, you’ll pay the cost of 2 applications.

Species varieties that need to be listed

Check if your plant variety needs to be registered on the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-species-variety-list-for-great-britain-and-northern-ireland).

How to apply for variety listing

To get your variety on the Variety Lists, you must follow these steps:

Create your own breeders’ reference - this is a unique reference you must give to each new variety. (If you’ve already named your variety, that can be your breeders’ reference.)

Choose a maintainer.

Once you have done this, you must then follow these steps:

Apply online using UPOV PRISMA (https://www.upov.int/upovprisma/en/index.html).

Send your sample off to be tested for DUS.

Send your sample off for value for cultivation and use (VCU) trial testing - this only applies to potatoes and agricultural crops, not vegetables.

VCU trials run at the same time as DUS testing.

Name your new variety

If you’ve not decided on a name when you submit your application, you must submit one by email during the application period.

A variety cannot be awarded variety listing without an approved name.

It is advisable to send in naming proposals as soon as possible. The process of accepting a naming proposal can take up to 2 months to complete.

How to choose a name

Choose a name that:
- is not already used by a variety of the same species
- cannot be confused with the name of another variety or other goods
- does not cause problems with recognition or production
- accurately represents the variety or its characteristics
You can use a trademark or trade name when you sell seeds of the plant, but the name registered on the Variety Lists must be clearly shown on the packaging.

You can find information on existing plant varieties using UPOV’s Pluto Search tool (https://www.upov.int/en/find-and-explore/databases/pluto-search).

Objections to a proposed name or proposed change of name

Any person can object to the naming of a variety.

Objecting a variety name

Anyone who objects to a name must contact APHA to make an objection within 3 months of the decision being published in the Gazette. APHA will respond explaining the objections process and how to pay the £30 fee.

APHA will write to you and tell you if your objection is successful or not.

Appealing an objection to your variety name

If someone has objected to the naming of your variety, APHA will contact you with advice. This will include how to appeal.

Changing a name after approval

If you want to change the name after it’s been approved and is on the Variety Lists, you must email APHA with the reason why you’d like to change the name. If the change is accepted, it’ll cost you £30.

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Choose a maintainer for your variety

You must arrange for someone to maintain your variety before it’s added to the Variety Lists.

Your maintainer must:
- keep records of all the generations of the varieties - produce these if requested
- allow authorised officers to inspect or examine any plants or plant material - provide samples if required
Anyone can apply to maintain a plant variety. Complete a maintainer form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-list-application-to-maintain-a-plant-variety) to apply to be a maintainer of a plant variety on the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists. APHA will delete your variety from the list if nobody can maintain it.

Who can be a maintainer

The maintainer can be in a country granted equivalence. You can find a list of countries with species the UK will accept as meeting equivalence for variety maintenance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countries-and-species-granted-equivalence-by-the-uk).

If a country has not been granted equivalence for maintenance of varieties, you’ll need a UK maintainer.

Further applications can be made if you want to propose additional maintainers or need to change a maintainer.

Start your Variety Lists application on UPOV PRISMA

All applications for Great Britain and Northern Ireland variety listing must use the UPOV PRISMA (https://www.upov.int/upovprisma/en/index.html) online application process. Do this by:

Setting up an account (https://www.upov.int/upovprisma/en/howtoaccess.html).

Logging into your account (https://www3.wipo.int/authpage/signin.xhtml?goto=https%3A%2F%2Fwww3.wipo.int%3A443%2Fupovprisma%2F).

Completing and sending an application on UPOV PRISMA.

Completing and uploading a maintain a plant variety form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-list-application-to-maintain-a-plant-variety).

Completing and uploading an authorisation of agent form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-list-and-plant-breeders-rights-authorisation-of-agent), if you want to authorise an agent to apply on your behalf.

Paying the UPOV PRISMA service fee (https://www.upov.int/upovprisma/en/fees.html) - you will need to pay this for each variety.

You can apply yourself or you can get an agent to apply for you.

After you’ve completed and submitted your application, you will get an email to confirm your application has been received.

You’ll get another email to let you know if your application has been accepted. APHA will invoice you an application fee once your application has been published in the Seeds Gazette.

This does not mean that your variety has been approved and awarded.

Check the progress of your application online

You can use the UPOV applicant monitoring module (AMM) (https://www.upov.int/en/file-and-manage/upov-epvp-administration) to:
- check the progress of your application at any time
- check existing awards
- change your maintainer or company address
Supporting crop innovation as part of the application process

If you would like to propose new optional VCU characters that are not included within the official UK VCU procedures. See the page VCU protocols and procedures for testing agricultural crops (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vcu-protocols-and-procedures-for-testing-agricultural-crops)for further information.

There is scope to apply for additional DUS characteristics, which have not been previously approved by the National List and Seeds Committee (NLSC), but are requested for use in the examination of DUS. See the page DUS protocols for testing plant varieties (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dus-protocols-for-testing-plant-varieties) for more information.

Authorise an agent

If you would like an agent to apply on your behalf, complete the ‘authorisation of agent’ form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-list-and-plant-breeders-rights-authorisation-of-agent) and upload this to UPOV PRISMA with your application.

If you, or your chosen agent are not based in the UK, you’ll need to appoint an agent who has a UK address. This can be anyone in the UK, including your distributor.

If you authorise an agent after you’ve applied, you can email APHA with the completed ‘authorisation of agent’ form.

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Get your variety DUS tested

After you have applied for variety listing on UPOV PRISMA, your plant variety must be tested to check if it’s a new variety. This is known as DUS (distinct, uniform and stable) testing (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dus-protocols-for-testing-plant-varieties).

You’ll get your application for protection (AFP) number from APHA once your UPOV PRISMA application has been accepted.

You’ll need to provide your AFP number when you send your sample for testing, so the test centre can match your application to your sample.

You need to pay to send your sample to the test centre and APHA will invoice you for the DUS testing.

If your variety has already been DUS tested, you can inform APHA in the online application process.

Variety listing: application closing dates

Make sure you complete your UPOV PRISMA application and send your seed samples for DUS testing and VCU trials by the dates set out in the tables. Applications for amenity grasses do not require VCU testing.

If the closing date falls at a weekend or on a bank holiday, the application and sample can be received the next working day. Anything received after the closing date will not be tested or trialled in that year.

Your application will be processed after the closing date.

Spring sown agricultural crops

Autumn sown agricultural crops

Vegetable varieties

Amateur vegetables and conservation varieties

Use UPOV PRISMA to apply for amateur vegetables and conversation varieties.

Amateur vegetables

You can register amateur vegetables for sale in small packets. For example, a variety developed with no commercial value.

You’ll have to pay an administration fee (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fees-for-national-listing-and-plant-breeders-rights).

Conversation varieties

For conservation varieties, you can choose to register plants for:
- agricultural conservation – for example, a variety that is naturally found locally and is threatened by genetic erosion
- vegetable conservation – for example, a variety that has been traditionally grown locally and is threatened by genetic erosion
You’ll have to pay an administration fee (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fees-for-national-listing-and-plant-breeders-rights).

If your application is successful, you must send a representative sample of the seed to:

Plant Varieties and SeedsAnimal and Plant Health AgencyEastbrookShaftesbury RoadCambridgeCB2 8DR

Application fees

Read the application costs for different varieties (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/fees-for-national-listing-and-plant-breeders-rights) to calculate the total amount you’ll need to pay.

If you need plant breeders’ rights as well as variety listing, you can apply for both at the same time for the price of one administration fee.

If you apply for plant breeders’ rights separately later, you’ll have to pay a separate administration fee.

VCU trials

After you’ve applied for variety listing using UPOV PRISMA, the following must be tested for value for cultivation and use (VCU):
- agricultural varieties (including herbage varieties) — applications for amenity grasses do not require VCU testing
- potatoes
The organiser of the VCU trials will usually ask you to send them seed or plant material for testing. They’ll tell you how much material to send and when.

Testing takes:
- 4 years for herbage varieties (for example, grasses)
- 2 years for other varieties
APHA will send you copies of the results of your tests when a decision on listing has been made.

The testing is done by:
- the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (http://www.niab.com/) in England and Wales
- SASA (https://www.sasa.gov.uk/) in Scotland
- the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (http://www.afbini.gov.uk/) in Northern Ireland
- the British Society of Plant Breeders (http://www.bspb.co.uk/) - responsible for VCU trials in the UK
Extra tests of parental species might be needed if you’re registering hybrid varieties.

Find the UK VCU protocols and procedures for testing agricultural crops (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vcu-protocols-and-procedures-for-testing-agricultural-crops).

Get a published decision

You can use the monthly Seeds Gazette (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020) to follow the progress of an application through the variety list process.

It will give notice about any of the following Great Britain and Northern Ireland Variety Lists applications:
- application made
- application which is withdrawn
- proposed decision to accept or refuse a plant variety on to the Variety Lists
- decision of the tribunal made on an appeal
- changes to a variety lists award or application
APHA will also publish the decision on whether to accept or refuse your variety in the monthly Seeds Gazette (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020). Varieties will be added to the Variety Lists if:
- you’ve passed the tests
- nobody has objected
- no new evidence shows that the proposed decision is wrong
New listed varieties are published in the Gazette, together with their maintainer and any agents.

All varieties that have a UK variety listing appear in the special edition (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020).

Object to a Variety Lists decision - making a representation

You can object to a decision for variety registration (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lists-of-agricultural-and-vegetable-crops#object-to-a-national-list-decision) if it is a proposed addition or a refusal. You can object to a proposed decision for a plant breeders’ right (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plant-breeders-rights#object-a-pbr-decision) whether it is granted or refused. This is known as ‘making a representation’.

You must make your representation within 14 days of the decision being published in the Seeds Gazette (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020). As part of the representation process, you can explain why you are making a representation and provide evidence to support your claims where appropriate. The representation can be written or can be heard in person (also referred to as an oral representation).

Representations are reviewed by technical experts, the NLSC and the PVSC (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/plant-varieties-and-seeds-tribunal/about/our-governance), who make the final decision.

Your representation must include the:
- variety name
- species
- AFP number as advertised in the gazette
You must send your representation to:

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Plant Varieties and SeedsAnimal and Plant Health AgencyEastbrookShaftesbury RoadCambridgeCB2 8DR

APHA will contact you by email or post when they have decided. The results will be published in the Seeds Gazette.

Tribunal process

When a representation is not successful (or is upheld), any affected person has the right to appeal the decision to the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal (PVST) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/plant-varieties-and-seeds-tribunal). The PVST is a statutory appeal tribunal which operates independently.

The PVST makes decisions about variety registration of new varieties of plants, UK plant breeders’ rights and certain forestry matters.

When an appeal is received, Defra (Department for Food & Rural Affairs), DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs), Scottish Government (SG) and Welsh Government (WG) will cooperate to respond to the appeal. Notifications of tribunals and decision are published in the Seeds Gazette.

Variety Lists application records

APHA keeps records of all applications for the Variety Lists. This information includes:
- when the application was received and its reference number
- when the application was published in the gazette
- the name and address of the applicant
- a description of the characteristics of the plant variety provided by the applicant
- the proposed name of the variety, as published in the gazette
- any other information that the Secretary of State may ask you to provide
Anyone can access these records on request.

For varieties that have been added to the Variety Lists, APHA will record:
- the species, name and a description of the variety
- when the variety was accepted onto the list
- a summary of all the facts on which the acceptance was based
- the reference number under which the variety was accepted for marketing (for genetically modified varieties and foods)
- when the listing will expire
- the name and address of the maintainer
- details of 10-year renewals
Extending your listing

If your variety is accepted onto the Variety Lists, it will remain on the list until 31 December of the 10th year after it was added.

If you want to keep your variety on the Variety Lists after this date, you need to request an extension. APHA must receive your request before your current acceptance expires.

Tab 7(c) of the monthly Seeds Gazette (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-varieties-and-seeds-gazette-2020) lists varieties that have reached the 8 year point.

If you do not apply to extend your listing, your variety will be deleted from the Variety Lists at the end of the 10 year period.

Your request must include your:

company name

company address

AFP number

variety type

variety name

Send your extension request to:

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Additional rules for genetically modified varieties

There are additional rules for genetically modified:
- plants
- food
- agricultural crops
After you’ve got any consents you need, you must tell APHA if you’re applying to get a genetically modified variety on the Variety Lists by emailing them.

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Genetically modified plants

You must get consent from the relevant organisation before you apply for variety listing for a genetically modified plant if:
- it needs to be DUS tested (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dus-protocols-for-testing-plant-varieties) in the UK
- you want to market the variety in the UK
You should include a copy of your consent in your application.

Consent for food and animal food

Contact the Food Standards Agency.

Food Standards Agency Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Consent for varieties that are not food or animal feed, or for research trials

Contact the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Defra Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Genetically modified food

You must get all the necessary food and feedstuffs authorisations. Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to find out which authorisations you need.

Genetically modified agricultural crops

You can only add agricultural varieties to the Variety Lists if they improve the cultivation or quality of its crops or products.

APHA will tell you if you need to pay for a test to prove this before you apply. Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for more information.

Contacts

For queries regarding:
- new Variety Lists applications
- ongoing Variety Lists applications
- existing Variety Lists awards
- general Variety Lists enquiries
E-mail: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You should include the:
- species name in the subject title
- AFP number of the variety if you have one
For Integrated VCU trials, contact:

Louise EverestBSPB House114 Lancaster WayCB6 3NX

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You can call the Defra Rural Services Helpline for England.

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx