Law Society addresses Select Committee on Plant Variety Rights Bill
The New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa addressed the Economic Development, Science and Innovation select committee on a bill to modernise the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 and implement Treaty obligations in relation to the plant variety rights regime and New Zealand’s obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The oral submission focused on balancing the interests of kaitiaki against the PVR applicant, and natural justice concerns around the right to be heard and appeal rights. Presenters addressed key drafting issues about ‘authorisation’ and compulsory licences, and recommended changes to avoid unintended consequences.