China's planting seeds market continues to grow

China is the second largest seed market in the world, annually planting 12.5 million tons of seed, with a market value at $17.2 billion. MOA reported that as of September 1, 2016, its Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Office had accepted 17,108 PVP applications and approved 7,824 applications. Increases in PVP applications indicate improving breeding capacity (more varieties) and improved awareness of plant variety protection.

In October 2016, MOA also released a draft of Administrative Measures on Non-Major Crop Variety Record for public comments. Chinese officials announced that China has initiated work to revise PVP regulation. There are two options for PVP regulation revisions: revise existing PVP regulations or codify PVP regulations into law. There are disputes on the two options at this moment, but consensus has been reached to provide stronger protection to new plant varieties.

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