The registration process is somewhat separate, like your series of field trials, to demonstrate that in fact it is better. We traditionally follow not only consumer protection, but also a pattern of ensuring that it's better than what currently exists. So the registration process, if you will, assists in a time to demonstrate that not only is it resistant to herbicide X, but it is in fact better and more productive than what currently exists.
I wouldn't want to shelve the registration process in its entirety, but if there were an opportunity to streamline it or have it concurrent with other processes, that might be the solution you'd be looking for.