Department of Agriculture Confirms Legality of CPRAM Holy Basil Registration
Thailand's Department of Agriculture has verified that the registration of four holy basil varieties by CPRAM complies with the Plant Variety Protection Act.
The Thai Department of Agriculture has officially confirmed that the registration of four specific holy basil varieties—Kaew Juree 01, 02, 03, and 04—by CPRAM is fully compliant with the Plant Variety Protection Act of 1999. This verification follows a directive from the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives to investigate the legitimacy of these registrations, which were processed in 2024.
According to Sasiya Pantan, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, a thorough review of the documentation was conducted. The investigation confirmed that the application process adhered to the 2003 ministerial regulations, including the verification of breeder history, the origin of the varieties, and the required benefit-sharing agreements. Furthermore, the department confirmed that the varieties met the DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) criteria required for new plant variety protection.
For residents and those involved in the local agricultural sector, this clarification serves to resolve concerns regarding the intellectual property status of these common culinary herbs. The department noted that no complaints regarding negative impacts have been filed since the registration. While the legal status of these specific varieties is now confirmed, stakeholders may continue to monitor how such protections influence the broader market for traditional crops in Thailand.
