The British Society of Plant Breeders is the representative body for the UK plant
breeding industry. Formerly the Plant Royalty Bureau, the organisation was formed
in 1966 after the UK Plant Varieties & Seeds Act 1964 established a legal framework
for collecting seed royalties on protected varieties.
Today, BSPB represents more than 50 members, comprising virtually 100% of public
and private sector breeding activity in the UK. The Society has two core functions –
royalty collection and industry representation:
Royalty collection
Acting on members’ behalf, BSPB licenses, collects and distributes certified
seed royalties and farm-saved seed payments on the following agricultural and
horticultural crops:
Cereals; Oilseeds; Potatoes; Peas & Beans; Fruit; Herbage
The Society seeks to protect future investment by optimising the return on the
value of plant breeders’ intellectual property.
Industry representation
BSPB promotes the interests of UK plant breeders on technical, regulatory and
intellectual property matters at a national and international level.
The Society aims to promote innovation in plant breeding by ensuring its members
can operate in a proportionate, commercially relevant and cost-effective framework
of regulation. BSPB organises a broad programme of statutory and commercial variety
trials on behalf of its members.
BSPB structure
BSPB is a not-for-profit organisation, managed by an elected Board of senior
executives from member companies. The Society’s work programme is advised and
supported by a network of dedicated working parties and crop groups. Administration
is provided by a small permanent staff based in Ely.
