S.L. 433.34 Art. 8Primarysourceand registration.

(1) The acquisition of the primary source involves the pomological and sanitary selection and, if necessary, the sanitation of ecotypes of Maltese cultivars or those grown in the country for a long period of time. These activities are carried out by the national scientific institutions. Foreign scientific institutions may also collaborate, if necessary, upon approval of the Directorate.

(2) For the registration procedure, the breeder must:

(a) keep the primary source under appropriate conditions so that the material remains healthy;

(b) submit to the Directorate the appropriate application form with:

(i) an authentic copy of the plant variety right in the case of protected varieties;

(ii) a data sheet of the varietal characteristics; (NATIONAL CERTIFICATION SCHEME)

(iii) documents regarding the health status with respect to the diseases indicated in the technical protocols for the relevant species or group of species;

(iv) in the case of unprotected varieties, a declaration stating that the variety can be multiplied freely; and

(v) in case the registration is accepted, the breeder shall provide two specimens of the primary source to the centre of conservation for pre-multiplication (repository).

(3) The primary sources submitted for certification shall be reported in the National Catalogue of Certified Varieties.

(4) In the case of new cultivars and, or selections, the breeder must declare, under his responsibility, the origin of the material, for such breeder to be authorised to introduce such material in the various phases of certification.