Permits for release of specimens from the
Australian National Botanic Gardens

Introduction:

The ANBG supplies plant material to institutions provided the purpose is consistent with the aims of ANBG and that it does not compromise research being conducted at the ANBG or the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research. Supply is on the basis of a signed agreement in which the purpose of the material is described and the recipient agrees to use the material for that purpose exclusively and not pass the material on to a third party without the agreement of the ANBG.

Where material is requested for use outside Australia, it is supplied in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This means that ANBG can only supply CITES-listed material to institutions that are similarly registered under the facilitated scientific exchange system.

ANBG also follows the principles of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The latter affirms national sovereignty over genetic resources and establishes a framework for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the development of the world's genetic resources. It also provides that access to genetic resources be subject to prior informed consent on mutually agreed terms. ANBG has therefore adopted the Common Policy Guidelines: Guidelines to assist in the preparation of Institutional Policies based on the Principles on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing for Participating Institutions for Participating Institutions (CPG). A comprehensive explanation is available electronically on the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew website at: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/conservation/principles.html

Procedure:

The applicant must forward a completed application form (see below) and a signed Agreement for the Supply of Biological Materials from the Australian National Botanic Gardens to:

The Director
Australian National Botanic Gardens
GPO Box 1777
Canberra
ACT 2601

Once the completed application form is received, please allow a minimum of 21 days for the application to be processed. ANBG will assess the availability of the material and provide an estimate of costs (if any) to the applicant. When the applicant has indicated acceptance of the anticipated costs the request will be processed.

Costs:

Material supplied for the following purposes will usually be free, although the ANBG may impose a charge to recover costs if, in the opinion of the Director, the task requires extended staff time ([current charges]):

Research of a non-commercial nature that improves public knowledge of the Australian flora
Educational purposes where there is no resale of material and the educational institution does not charge tuition fees.
In these circumstances the charge is based on cost recovery only.

Material supplied for the following need to be negotiated. Material supplied will be normally free of charge but will be considered on a case by case basis and the above charges can be imposed:

Ceremonial, promotion and display purposes where there is a clear benefit to Australia or the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
For the ‘Growing Friends’ (part of the ‘Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens’).
For non-commercial off-site revegetation or conservation trials where ANBG is a participating organisation.
For use by organisations that have formal reciprocal arrangements with ANBG.

Any commercial use of the material, including essentially derived material, will require an additional legal agreement and negotiation of fees or royalties.

Phytosanitary expenses and other fees are the responsibility of the applicant.

Approval for export may also require a separate permit under the EPBC Act (Approvals and wildlife Divsion). Information here.

Before completing these forms, please check the spelling of plant names.
Online sources of plant name information are:

Australian Plant Name Index [ APNI ] (technical - lists all known names for the Australian flora)
Australian Plant Census[ APC ] (agreed current name, by consensus of all Australian herbaria)

Application form and Agreement

This form should be used if you want plant material from ANBG. (If you want to conduct research within the grounds of ANBG you will require a Research Permit.)
You will also be required to sign an 'Agreement for the Supply of Biological Materials'.

Download Application Form requesting release of plant material