Decree No. 88 of 1997 of the Ministry of Agriculture on the recognition of plant varieties.

This Decree applies to field crops, vegetables, grape and fruit producing plant species, and to ornamental and forestry plant species as well, and it regulates the procedures related to recognition of new varieties, their experimental testing and temporary authorization of their propagation. This Decree regulates the operation of the National Agricultural Certification Institute and the National Agricultural Variety Certification Council. It also applies to natural and legal persons and entities dealing with the improvement and conservation of plant varieties. The provisions of this Decree must be applied in accordance with the provisions of laws regarding plant protection and nature protection. The Institute publishes annually the list of recognized varieties in the National Variety Register and it provides a Descriptive Variety Register as well.