Proposed fees for plant breeders’ rights, variety registration and DUS testing in 2026
The fees of the Board for Plant Varieties are set annually by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. The fee proposals are jointly prepared by Naktuinbouw and the Board for Plant Varieties. This announcement concerns the proposed application fees for plant breeders’ rights, variety registration, and DUS testing for 2026.
Fee indexation compared to 2025
• Average indexation: 6% increase on all 2025 fees.
Explanation on the indexation
Naktuinbouw adjusts wage and personnel costs annually based on the average of three collective labor agreements within the sector: Open Cultivation, Greenhouse Horticulture, and Garden Seeds.
For 2026, a wage indexation of 5% is assumed, partly based on recent collective labor agreement developments.
In addition, periodic scale increases are included, bringing the total increase in wage costs to 6%.
This adjustment ensures that Naktuinbouw remains in line with the market and that personnel costs are managed in a transparent and responsible manner.
Online application fee, also the same for all sectors in 2026
- New fee proposal: a single online application fee of €354 for all sectors, as virtually all national applications are submitted online.
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News item
Modification submission requirements French bean (dwarf and climbing beans)
In 2026 Naktuinbouw will start with the implementation of the UPOV Model 2 for DUS testing of bean applications.
It combines molecular thresholds (based on genetic marker distances) with phenotypic observations (based on morphological characteristics).
Model 2 does not replace morphological assessment; rather, it uses molecular data to optimize the DUS process and possibly to shorten it.
Under this model, the initial selection of similar varieties will be based on DNA analysis, followed by a 1st year with field morphological observations to ensure no varieties have been missed. If needed a 2nd year of examination will follow.
Uniformity will be assessed in the field.
