Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a RAC?

    Royalty area collection (RAC) is a licence agreement between BIPO and growers that allows the use of BIPO-registered varieties and establishes the royalty obligations for areas sown with the protected variety.

  • What is BIPO?

    BIPO is the Breeders Intellectual Property Office, which collects royalties on certified and farm-saved seed on behalf of the rights holders of the varieties through the RAC scheme.

  • Why should I pay more for my FSS?

    Farm Saved Seed royalties fund continued investment in plant breeding, ensuring new and improved varieties continue to be developed for growers across the UK. The royalty rate for FSS on BIPO is the same as that which certified seed users contribute.

  • Will certified seed be cheaper?

    As the royalty is averaged between the certified & FSS, the certified royalty rate is lower than it would be on other collection platforms.

  • How does BIPO differ from BSPB?

    BIPO operates as the collecting body for royalties under the RAC scheme, while BSPB represents the interests of UK plant breeders on a different scheme.

  • Why should I choose a variety on the BIPO scheme?

    Varieties on the BIPO scheme have been developed with significant investment in research and breeding. Choosing these varieties supports continued innovation and gives you access to the latest high-performing genetics.

  • If I do not want to sign the RAC, what can I do?

    If you do not wish to sign the RAC, you can choose from other varieties that are not on the scheme. A large proportion of all new varieties will be on the scheme, so it is beneficial to have an RAC no.

  • Will more varieties be added to the BIPO scheme in the future?

    Yes, BIPO regularly reviews and adds new varieties as they achieve Plant Breeders Rights status and breeders opt into the scheme.

  • Do I only need to sign the licence once?

    Yes, the RAC is a one-time signature agreement that covers all BIPO-registered varieties each season.

  • When do I have to pay?

    Royalties are collected annually following the harvest season. Payment deadlines and methods are detailed in your RAC agreement and invoiced by BIPO.

  • Why should breeders be funded through royalties?

    Royalties provide breeders with a sustainable revenue stream that funds the long-term research and development needed to produce better-performing, disease-resistant crop varieties.

  • How does the RAC scheme support future innovation more than at current?

    The RAC scheme ensures a proportional return to breeders based on actual usage of their varieties, creating stronger incentives to invest in developing new genetics for UK agriculture.

  • Why are there two different royalty rate schedules?

    Two rate schedules exist, as when the system first launched, there was no royalty attached to certified seed sales. Now, varieties in Annex B and new varieties have the certified royalty attached to seed sale; farmers are only invoiced for any FSS they use.

  • What should I do if I forgot to declare a planted area?

    Contact BIPO directly as soon as possible. Late declarations are accepted and BIPO will work with you to calculate the correct royalty based on your planted area.