Section 24

The applicant shall within thirty days after the receipt of the notice of opposition send a reply to the Board and the opponent, in the manner to be specified by the Board in writing, stating the grounds for his application for registration and grant of a breeder’s right.

If the applicant fails to reply to the opposition within the period specified in subsection (1) or, if the period has been extended by the Board, within the additional period, the applicant shall be deemed to have abandoned his application for the registration of the new plant variety and grant of a breeder’s right.