To prevent the varieties of agricultural products developed in Japan from leaking overseas, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided to consider establishing a specialized agency to manage and protect rights on behalf of developers of new varieties.
Regarding the outflow of agricultural, forestry and fishery products, the grape "Shine Muscat" developed by a national research institute is cultivated in China in about 30 times the area of Japan without permission.
To prevent such damage, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has amended the Seed and Seedling Law to regulate the removal of seeds and seedlings of varieties developed in Japan to overseas without permission.
However, even if the outflow was confirmed, the developers themselves had to take legal procedures, and effectiveness was an issue.
For this reason, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has decided to consider establishing a specialized institution to manage and protect the rights of new varieties.
Specifically, it is supposed to be entrusted by the right holder to monitor for violations and to mediate the receipt of license fees for new varieties.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries estimates that in the case of "Shine Muscat," Japan could have received more than 10 billion yen a year if it could receive a license fee from the Chinese side.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will set up a study group consisting of seed companies and lawyers to discuss.