Royalty Wars in Agriculture - The Hidden Side of Plant Breeders’ Rights | Ep. 87

In this episode of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak with Christine van Zyl, attorney at TGB Attorneys and specialist in intellectual property law, about one of the most misunderstood and fast-evolving areas in agriculture: plant breeders' rights and IP protection.Christine unpacks South Africa’s new Plant Breeders’ Rights Act of 2018, the implications of "farmers' privilege", how local and foreign breeders can protect (or lose) their IP, and what exporters, smallholder farmers, and marketers should know about using and sharing protected plant material.The discussion dives deep into how the law intersects with science, innovation, and the future of agriculture in South Africa—raising key points on investment, legislation, enforcement, and public participation in regulatory processes.Key Takeaways:•The new Plant Breeders’ Rights Act is now in effect (as of June), aligning South Africa with international IP standards.•"Farmers’ privilege" allows small-scale farmers to reuse protected seed under certain conditions—but this remains controversial and narrowly defined.•IP protection attracts foreign investment, supports local innovation, and ensures royalties reach the rightful breeders.•Penalties for infringement are steep—up to 10 years—emphasizing the need for awareness and compliance.•Trademarks and plant breeders’ rights are distinct forms of protection—understanding both is critical for growers and marketers.Christine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-van-zyl-b2a17652/Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/