"We continue to be disappointed with the actions of the commission and its pursuit of a meritless lawsuit," said Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. "The strawberry breeding program at UC Davis is the pre-eminent public breeding program in the world today and the only public breeding program in the state. We are committed to maintaining that status for years to come."
The strawberry breeding program, housed within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is focused on developing the strawberry germplasm in the interests of advancing agricultural methods. Consistent with UC Davis' land-grant mission, the program includes fundamental and applied research as well as plant improvement.
The college's new dean, Helene Dillard, is also meeting with legislators at the state capitol in Sacramento this week to reaffirm the university's commitment to the program and address misconceptions set forth in the lawsuit.
California Strawberry Commission
Commission communications director Carolyn O’Donnell said the commission has been trying to resolve issues with the university for several years.
“For the past five years, commission members and staff have met with the university administration to discuss ongoing concerns regarding the management, oversight and long-term viability of the public strawberry breeding program,” according to a statement from the commission.
“During this time, there was no meaningful movement regarding any of these issues. The commission filed this lawsuit as a last resort to protect the public strawberry breeding program.”
O’Donnell said the university breeding program is a “critical” industry partner and the strawberry commission has contributed to it since 1955. She said the commission’s members have given the school more than $18 million in the past 25 years.
Among the allegations in its civil suit, the commission says growers are no longer receiving strawberry germplasm specifically developed for them. The commission wants the court to stop UC-Davis from allowing two scientists to control and profit from research and cultivars commission members paid for already.
- See more at: http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/Fight-continues-between-UC-Davis-and-strawberry-commission-256610531.html#sthash.poFKCots.dpuf“For the past five years, commission members and staff have met with the university administration to discuss ongoing concerns regarding the management, oversight and long-term viability of the public strawberry breeding program,” according to a statement from the commission.
“During this time, there was no meaningful movement regarding any of these issues. The commission filed this lawsuit as a last resort to protect the public strawberry breeding program.”
O’Donnell said the university breeding program is a “critical” industry partner and the strawberry commission has contributed to it since 1955. She said the commission’s members have given the school more than $18 million in the past 25 years.
Among the allegations in its civil suit, the commission says growers are no longer receiving strawberry germplasm specifically developed for them. The commission wants the court to stop UC-Davis from allowing two scientists to control and profit from research and cultivars commission members paid for already.
According to UC Davis, they have currently two copies of the strawberry germplasm, which includes patented varieties, advanced selection lines, breeding stock and historical plants. One collection is in use by the current breeders, and the second collection is being maintained by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. In addition, additional geneticists are currently being recruited to join the program.
"Despite the path the commission has chosen, UC Davis is committed to a long-term positive relationship for the benefit of California strawberry growers and more generally for state agriculture and the public," added Katehi. "We are hopeful the commission, too, is ready to move forward and continue the important collaboration we have enjoyed for decades."
Source: UC Davis and The Packer