EPRs Explained

EPRs are applied to new varieties to reward breeders for innovation and effort. They differ from traditional seed royalties, which are collected at the point of seed sale as part of the seed cost. Instead, EPRs are calculated on the grain produced by the licensed grower.

EPRs comprise mostly of a breeder royalty and, if applicable, a collection fee and a management fee to commercialise and market the variety. The breeder royalty is the majority of the total royalty payable by the grower. EPRs are the fairest and most effective way of attracting investment into the development of improved crops.


EPR Benefits

Traditional seed royalties increased the initial purchase price of the sowing seed - a cost to the grower, even if the crop failed. The advantage of EPRs is that it is calculated only on what the grower actually produces. The up-front cost to the grower (as in a seed royalty) is removed and the breeder's return is dependant on the performance of the crop.

Royalties based on production rather than seed purchase are considered the most equitable means of ensuring continued investment in plant breeding.

EPRs is a user pays system that enables the grower to produce the variety and contribute proportionately based on its success rather than increasing seed costs.

Newly bred varieties producing higher yields will increase the breeder's reward due to the increased return received by the grower. Conversely, poor seasonal conditions or lower yielding varieties will reduce the royalty received by the breeder due to lower grower returns. The breeder and the grower share the risk.

EPRs and the Grower

Growers are responsible for the payment of the EPRs according to the the terms and conditions of the licence agreement.

These include;

The grower must pay the royalty on every tonne of harvested grain whether sold or retained on farm, except for seed saved for sowing purposes. EPR also applies to each successive crop produced from the grower saved seed. Grain that is consumed on farm for stockfeed is also EPR applicable.

EPR may be deducted from grower payments by Accredited Grain Marketers and paid to the Breeder's agent OR the agent may invoice the grower directly (according to the information provided on the grower declaration) if grain is sold to non-accredited marketers or consumed on farm as stockfeed.

Grower declarations, grain delivery information and contract auditing are all used to ensure appropriate EPRs are being collected. Growers are responsible for retaining records regarding the tonnage of EPR grain either sold or retained. As a condition of the licence agreement growers are required to complete and return annually a ‘production declaration notice'.

EPR is payable on each year's production for the commercial life of the PBR variety (up to a maximum of 20 years).

It is an offence to ‘mis-declare' varieties in order to avoid payment of EPRs at point of delivery or when completing a production declaration notice. A person who infringes PBR may face both civil and criminal proceedings for infringement.


EPRs Rates


END POINT ROYALTY RATE AND LICENSEE CONDITIONS

CURRENT FROM JULY 2012


Wheat Variety

End Point Royalty (EPR)
for 2012/13

per tonne GST exclusive

Licensee

Camm

$0.95

Free to trade

Karlgarin

$0.95

Seednet

Harrismith

$1.12

Free to trade

Wyalkatchem (WA)

$1.92

Free to trade WA only

Wyalkatchem (Other States)

$1.92

Seedmark outside WA

Clearfield JNZ

$1.12

Free to trade

Clearfield STL

$1.12

Free to trade

EGA Bonnie Rock

$2.50

Free to trade

EGA Castle Rock

$1.67

Free to trade

EGA Jitarning

$2.70

Free to trade

EGA 2248

$3.62

Free to trade

EGA Eagle Rock

$2.50

Free to trade

Emu Rock (WA) $3.50

Approved for farmer to farmer trading in accordance with the Industry Standard Seed License & Royalty Agreement.

Contact Ash Brooks - Mobile: 0488 488 904 for all enquiries.

Emu Rock (VIC & SA) $3.50

Available for sale - Contact InterGrain Ash Brooks - Mobile: 0488 488 904

Impose CL Plus (WA) $3.50 Available for sale - Contact InterGrain Ash Brooks - Mobile: 0488 488 904

Bullaring

$2.50

Free to trade

Tammarin Rock

$2.50

Free to trade

Binnu

$3.00

Free to trade

Yandanooka

$3.00

Free to trade

Fortune

$3.00

Free to trade

Magenta

$3.00

Free to trade

Zippy

$3.00

Free to trade

Endure

$3.00

Free to trade

King Rock

$3.00

Free to trade

Kunjin

$3.50

Approved for farmer to farmer trading in accordance with the Industry Standard Seed License & Royalty Agreement.

Contact Ash Brooks - Mobile: 0488 488 904 for all enquiries.

Wedin

$3.50

Approved for farmer to farmer trading in accordance with the Industry Standard Seed License & Royalty Agreement.

Contact Ash Brooks - Mobile: 0488 488 904 for all enquiries.


Barley Variety

End Point Royalty (EPR)
for 2012/13

per tonne GST exclusive


Baudin (WA)

$3.00 (malting) & $1.00 (feed)

Free to trade

Baudin (Other States) $3.00 (malting) & $1.00 (feed) Licensed to Seednet
Bass (WA) $3.50

Licensed to Syngenta. Approved for farmer to farmer trading only in WA in accordance with the Industry Standard Seed License & Royalty Agreement.

Contact Ash Brooks - Mobile:0488 488 904 for all enquiries.

Bass (Other States) $3.50 Licensed to Syngenta. Contact Ash Brooks - Mobile:0488 488 904 for all enquiries.

Doolup

$0.45

Free to trade

Hamelin

$3.00 (malting) & $1.00 (feed)

Free to trade

Hannan

$1.50

Free to trade

Lockyer

$1.50

Free to trade

Roe

$1.50

Free to trade

Vlamingh

$3.50 (malting) & $1.50 (feed)

Free to trade

 

IG Industry Standard Seed Licence and Royalty Agreement

 

(All varieties listed above are protected by Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR)

EPR is payble at the first point of sale on every tonne of the above varieties sold

Seed of varieties in bold must only be purchased through the Licence

Growers can source "free to trade" varieties from any seller of seed

For more information go to http://www.grdc.com.au/director/events/grdcpublications/pbr_epr