The SADC Variety Release System. The purpose of the SADC Variety Release System is to make it easier and cheaper for new and existing varieties to gain access to SADC countries. This in turn will stimulate availability of more varieties, encourage more companies to invest in seed business in SADC countries, and thus increase farmers’ choice. An important outcome of the System is the establishment and maintenance of the SADC Variety Catalogue and the SADC Variety Database. Seed of varieties listed in the Catalogue can be sold in all SADC Member States without restrictions related to variety. The System is being operated in close collaboration with designated NSAs. Before a variety can be entered in the Regional Catalogue it will need to be released in at least two SADC countries. Only thereafter may the Variety Holder apply for regional release which is done through the NSA in one of the two countries where national release was obtained. The application must be accompanied by a reference seed sample, proof of national clearances in the two countries, Distinct, Uniform, Stable (DUS) and Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) test results, and other information as outlined in SADC procedures. After clearance by the NSA, this Authority forwards the application to a Coordinating Unit, in this case, the PMU of the SSSN where the application and the accompanying data are verified and the decision taken concerning regional release. After the decision is taken, copy of the application is forwarded to the NSA in each SADC Member State. In the case of approval, the variety is entered in the Regional Catalogue and in the SADC Variety Database, and may now be sold in all Member States. If the variety is not approved, it will be entered in the SADC Variety Database with information about the reasons for rejection. The same Database will also hold brief descriptions of landraces and local plant varieties. A Member Country can apply for permission to prohibit the use of a given variety in its territory if the Country can document in line with procedures of the System that the variety is not suitable for its growing conditions. GMO varieties cannot be listed in the Regional Variety Catalogue until Member States have reached a common stand on GMO varieties. For further details, see Section 2. The SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System The purpose of the SADC Seed Certification and Quality Assurance System is to ensure that seed of varieties listed in the SADC Regional Variety Catalogue and trade...
