Role of a Qualified Person

Who is a QP?

A QP is an expert in a particular plant group. They're accredited by us to certify new PBR applications.

You'll need to nominate someone to act as your QP during submission of part 1 of your application. 

Why do I need a QP?

A QP plays an important role in your application. They can provide advice and guidance throughout, and they will:

• Supervise the growing trial
• Verify the claims made
• Certify the application.

Overall, the role of the QP is to make sure that the growing trial is robust so that your variety can receive strong protection.

What does a QP do?

During the application process, your QP will:

• Engage with us to formalise the distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) growing trial arrangement through a pre-trial agreement form (PETA)
• Determine a trial plan appropriate to establish the DUS of the candidate variety
• Determine the most similar variety of common knowledge (comparator) (VCK) for inclusion in the DUS trial
• Submit the completed PETA to us for approval
• Oversee the growing trial to ensure adherence to the approved trial plan
• Collect data from the DUS trial to prepare the detailed variety description in support of the PBR application
• Collect, collate and submit evidence to us to show that the candidate variety is distinct, uniform and stable
• Liaise with us to organise an independent verification of the claimed DUS of the candidate variety by a PBR examiner
• Submit detailed description of the candidate variety, including details of the DUS, through the Interactive Variety Description System (IVDS) for publication in the Plant Varieties Journal
• Provide certification of the part 2 of your PBR application.

How do I find a QP?

If you need help finding a QP, you can do a quick and easy search using our online directory.

To pick the best QP for you, consider their:

• Plant speciality
• Geographical region.

Find a Qualified Person

If you're an accredited QP, you can nominate yourself to oversee the application.

If you can't find a QP that operates in your geographical region, you can become a Qualified Person.

How do I nominate a QP?

Once you've picked your QP, include the nomination form below in your application part 1 submission.