How long can a holder of Plant Breeder's Rights exclusively sell and propagate a variety?

The exclusive rights granted to a holder of Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR) allow them to control the sale and propagation of a new variety for a defined period. In Canada, the duration of these rights is typically 20 years from the date of the grant. This timeframe is established to encourage innovation while allowing breeders to recoup their investments in developing new plant varieties. The 20-25 years answer reflects this legal framework in Canadian PBR law, which aligns with international standards, ensuring that breeders are rewarded for their efforts and can protect their varieties within that legal term. This protection encourages ongoing research and development in plant breeding, ultimately benefiting the agriculture sector and consumers with new variety innovations.