Rice varieties named ST24 and ST25 are successfully developed by Mr. Ho Quang Cua and a team of Vietnamese scientists and have been granted a patent in Vietnam. (Photo: Labor Newspaper)

According to the Office, T&L Global Foods Supply PTY LTD, located at 420 Victoria Rd Malaga, WA, 6090 Australia, on April 22, filed the application and it will take months for the Australian agency to consider the case.

ST25 rice is a strain developed by farmer-scientist Ho Quang Cua and his colleagues in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang. In 2019, ST25 rice was named the winner of the World's Best Rice Contest in the Philippines.

The Vietnam Trade Office discussed with Ho Quang Cua to coordinate actions and also actively engaged in discussions with the leaders of T&L Global Foods Supply PTY LTD.

The Trade Office have sent an official dispatch with attached documents and pictures to IP Australia to clarify that the rice varieties named ST24 and ST25 were successfully researched and produced by Ho Quang Cua and a team of Vietnamese scientists and has been granted a patent in Vietnam. The Office is discussing with Australian lawyers to prepare the next steps in accordance with IP Australia regulations.