Variety Trials

New varieties are subject to statutory registration trials before they may be marketed in the EU. They must pass DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) tests and VCU (Value for Cultivation and Use) trials to ensure that they meet high standards of quality and performance. In most major crop species, statutory registration is followed by further industry trials at more locations to identify the very best varieties, to be promoted onto a Recommended List.

BSPB is authorised by the UK national authorities to organise statutory VCU trials for UK National Listing purposes for all crop species with the exception of potatoes (for which VCU trials are organised by SASA in Scotland).

We are also partners with AHDB, nabim and MAGB in the delivery of the UK Recommended Lists for Cereals and Oilseeds, with BBRO for the Sugar Beet Recommended List and with AHDB and HCC for the Recommended Grass and Clover List for England & Wales. BSPB also organises trials and publishes Descriptive Lists of Forage Maize and Amenity Grasses. Our trials are carried out by plant breeders and variety trialling companies across the UK.

View information on the trial fees charged by BSPB.