Maize variety testing for registration on a national catalogue and the impact of new technologies

European Community legislation requires that every new variety of an agricultural crop undergo official trials for DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability) and VCU (Value for Cultivation and Use) before commercialisation. If both DUS and VCU results are positive and the denomination is approved, the variety can be registered on a national catalogue in one EU country, then on the common EU catalogue within a few months. Once a variety appears on the common EU catalogue, it may be commercialised in the entire European Community.
The guidelines for the VCU and DUS tests are summarised in the Council’s directive number 2002/53/EC. Article 4 stipulates that the VCU-value must be “satisfactory”. Each EU country currently has a separate system for VCU testing. The term “satisfactory” is interpreted in different ways, which results in different admission levels between countries.
Genetically modified (GM) varieties, in contrast with conventionally bred varieties, have an additional requirement: each member state must take responsibility for any risk related to deliberate release of GM’s into the environment. The Council’s directive stipulates that deliberate release of the variety into the environment shall be accepted only if all appropriate measures have been taken to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment.
In this presentation, I will analyse the steps from acceptance of a new application until registration for conventionally bred varieties, as well as the possibilities for registration of genetically modified types. I will use the Belgian system for silage and corn maize as a model.

Keywords: maize, variety testing, regulation, GM varieties