Agreement No. 3919/MAF of the Minister on the Management and Use of Plant Variety.

This Agreement, consisting of ten Parts, defines principles, rules and measures regarding the conservation, research, multiplication, certification, registration, production, and business operation on plant variety with the aim to manage and upgrade efficiency of crop production for food security, commercial production and international cooperation. Plant Variety Plant variety means a plant grouping of similar or identical genetic and botanical characteristics, with particular features which are uniform, stable, and distinct from other groupings in the same species of plant collecting from traditional and indigenous plant variety, genetically modified organism, plant variety from implantation and propagating material. This agreement applies to all persons, juristic persons or organizations engaged in plant variety conservation, research, multiplication, certification, registration, production and operating business on plant variety. The State promotes and encourages persons, juristic persons, organizations to invest in developing and controlling plant variety with focus on construction of technical infrastructure, conducting research or improvement and production of plant varieties, conservation of inbred lines; surveillance, collection, conservation of endangered and threatened plant varieties or related activities.
The principles of management and use of plant variety are as follows: Ensure centralized and harmonized control and use of plant variety throughout the country, use plant variety in accordance to the state laws and regulations, with effective sustainability plans and does not pose any negative effects and impacts to environment and society. Conserve, protect, develop, manage and inspect plant varieties in compliance with relevant international conventions in which Laos is a contracting party. Protect the interests of the state, community, family, Lao farming households and entrepreneurs in both domestic and foreign markets. To promote the management of plant variety production that meets the quality and quantity level and to be able to supply throughout the society. It regulates the Management Process of Plant Variety Development as follows: 1. Research and producion of new plant variety. 2. Certification of new plant variety. 3. Registration of new plant variety. 4. Inspection of new plant variety.