The Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, has been commissioned to undertake technical identification examinations for registering new varieties of potato in Spain and that originate in the European Union, thus becoming the technological centre of reference in potato matters at a European level. The Basque technological centre was designated by the Ministry of the Natural Environment, Rural and Marine Environment (MARM) as the scientific body charged with determining whether a new variety of the tuber complies with conditions necessary to be registered as such. Neiker-Tecnalia will carry out this technical control for all new varieties of the potato when requested by the EU.
Neiker-Tecnalia has progressed further in its outstanding position as an international reference centre for the potato. From now on, the technological centre will carry out the identification tests that will determine if the new varieties of potato presented at the Spanish Plant Variety Office and at the Community Plant Variety Office comply with the requirements necessary to be admitted as new varieties. In order to be registered, a new variety has to comply with a series of characteristics of distinction, homogeneity and stability; the three factors that will be investigated by the Neiker-Tecnalia specialists.
The Spanish Plant Variety Office and the Community Plant Variety Office opted for Neiker-Tecnalia as an "ideal centre for carrying out the technical examinations for all the varieties that are required in the EU, both for the technical preparation of the experts involved in the examination, and the breadth of the reference collection ", as stated in the contract signed by the Marmara and Neiker-Tecnalia..
In order to carry out identification tests, it is necessary to compare the varieties which are under study with already-known varieties. In this aspect, Neiker-Tecnalia has a complete collection of reference for potatoes from the whole world. Moreover, it enjoys a suitable agroclimatic location – based in Arkaute (Álava) and Derio (Bizkaia) – and with all the human and material resources required to undertake varietal identification.
All applications for registration which come to the Spanish Plant Variety Office and the Community Plant Variety Office will be remitted to Neiker-Tecnalia for their examination. The technological centre will issue a Final Report on the distinction, homogeneity and stability of the variety presented. The investigations and observations will be carried out using the official model laid out by the Spanish Plant Variety Office. On the basis of the Final Report issued by Neiker-Tecnalia, it will be both the Spanish Plant Variety Office and the Community Plant Variety Office which finally granted registration as a new variety of potato.