(Ministry of Agriculture) Recently, in order to reduce the losses of variety rights applicants and holders in disaster regions, the Office of New Plant Variety Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture publicizes the Announcement Concerning Delaying Variety Rights Application Procedures During the Earthquake Disaster Period, laying down regulations related to variety rights application handling in the disaster period.

The Announcement notes that in case where a variety right applicant or holder cannot go through relative variety rights application procedures or variety rights procedures because of the disaster, the time limit can be prolonged by two months. The applicant or holder should explain to the Office of New Plant Variety Protection under the Ministry of Agriculture while going through the delayed procedures.