Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the licensing arragements involved for a private person or company to carry out general research into different grass varieties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53499/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are no particular licences required for a private person or company to carry out general research into different grass varieties in Ireland. However, normal Plant Health and Seed Certification requirements relevant to seed of grass varieties are applicable. My Department is the relevant Competent Authority for official trials carried out under S.I. 525 of 2002 - European Communities (National Catalogue of Agricultural Plant Varieties) Regulations 2002 and which gives effect to Council Directive 2002/53/EC providing for the EU common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species. Official Evaluation of agricultural grass varieties for the purpose of establishing the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) in Ireland is the responsibility of my Department.