Plant Pirates Fairly Warned

April 18, 1986|Special to the Sun-Sentinel

``Unauthorized propagation prohibited -- U.S. Protected Variety.``

What does it mean when the packet of seed you`ve just bought carries that warning?

It means the seed producer is protected under the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act. The law protects a plant breeder from pirating of his new varieties, which he may have spent years and a great deal of money to develop. It prohibits another commercial grower from reproducing and selling seed of the same variety for 18 years after it is registered.

``A popular misconception about this law is that it prevents amateurs from saving their own seeds from protected varieties. This simply is not true,`` says Steven A. Frowine, staff horticulturist with the W. Atlee Burpee Co.

``Seeds produced from protected varieties can be saved and given away to friends and neighbors but cannot be sold.``

Nor does the law prohibit a farmer from saving and planting protected seed from his own crop. He is even allowed to sell that seed to another farmer directly, so long as a third party, such as a supply store, is not involved.

Sun Sentinel Articles