U.S. National Plant Germplasm System Distribution Policy

Plant germplasm is distributed to scientists, educators, producers and other bona fide research and education entities from active collection sites. NPGS Curators and/or Research Leaders at these sites will, in accordance with current NPGS policies and procedures, determine the legitimacy of a request when necessary.

Distributions to fulfill requests for research, education, and the repatriation of subsamples of germplasm collections to a country or community of origin, especially following natural or man-made catastrophes, are considered the highest priority. The NPGS also encourages various seed-saver organizations and public gardens to conduct germplasm conservation activities that engage many individuals and groups throughout the country. Elements of the NPGS cooperate with such seed-saver organizations and public gardens, and may store and distribute germplasmon their behalf.

The distribution of germplasm from NPGS collections to fulfill requests from individuals seeking free germplasm strictly for home use is generally considered an inappropriate use of limited resources, and conflicts with U.S. Government policy of not competing with commercial enterprises. Requestors can be asked, in an appropriate manner, to justify the use of specific NPGS germplasm instead of suitable commercially available germplasm.

Accessions listed in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database as “not available” due to insufficient or low-viability seed, and/or that are scheduled for regeneration, will generally not be available for distribution.

Other accessions are listed in GRIN as "not available" because they are not a part of the NPGS collection per se, but are conserved in NPGS repositories to meet specific needs as described later in the section entitled "Categories of Germplasm Distributed and Availability." In this category are certain accessions of improved germplasm that are only available from the owner/developer. Other accessions require that specific conditions be met by the requestor before distribution is possible.

NPGS sites will not distribute germplasm internationally when they cannot comply with the importation or quarantine requirements of the recipient country unless the requestor can provide a valid waiver of such requirements.

For requesters seeking the international shipment of germplasm, it is the sole responsibility of the requester, and not the USDA, to identify, obtain, and provide all import documentation required by their national authorities, including but not limited to import permits, phytosanitary information, and any additional declarations needed for international shipment germplasm by USDA to the requester’s country. Requesters are advised to consult their national plant protection organization, or similarly competent authority, to determine any and all applicable requirements.

When shipping germplasm internationally, the USDA assumes no responsibility for verifying compliance with regulatory, intellectual property, or other legal import requirements of the requester’s country of import, and, further, assumes no liability for errors, omissions, or the misinterpretation of foreign laws or regulations, and does not provide legal or regulatory advice.