Consultative QP Services

In addition to our traditional Agronomy services, Micro Harvest offers Consultative Qualified Person (QP) Services to assist clients with IP protection of their new varieties.

What is a qualified person (QP)?

A QP is an expert in a particular plant group, accredited by the Plant Breeders Rights Office to certify applications for plant breeder’s rights (PBR).  View Samantha Andrews profile

What does a QP do?

PBR is the only section of  IP Australia where a Qualified Person  must be involved in order for an application to be valid and accepted. QPs perform specific functions in relation to the PBR application process and work closely with Examiners from the Plant Breeders Rights Office.

QPs can help clients with choosing the growing trial design, management regime, data collection and analysis, photography of the plant, and writing the description of the plant variety.

Overview of the PBR process:

1. Client lodges Application Part 1 for their plant variety. Client also lodges a Nomination of Qualified Person (QP) form – this form includes a list of duties with tick boxes. From this list the QP ticks those that they agree to perform in relation to the next steps in the application process (growing trial and plant description).

2. Growing trial is conducted by the client and QP – results are used to determine whether the clients’ new plant variety is distinct, uniform and stable. QP works with Examiners at PBR office to determine whether the new variety qualifies for plant breeder’s rights.

3. Application Part 2 (description of new variety) prepared by the QP using the results from the growing trial to show that the variety is distinct, uniform and stable.

4. Application Part 2 (description of new variety) and Certification by a Qualified person form is submitted.