The latest developments in the national Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) regimes of China, South Africa and the US were in the center of attention at the CIOPORA’s 58th Annual General Meeting that was held April 1 through April 5 in Stellenbosch/Somerset West, South Africa.
The objective of the meeting was to provide the plant breeder community with a comprehensive update on the latest developments in IP protection for plants and to facilitate the exchange of information about enforcement of the plant-related IP rights worldwide between the green sector, legal experts and governments.
Currently 120 delegates from 20 countries are attending this meeting in Somerset West. They represent breeders who license fruit and flower varieties worldwide, producing crops that also contribute to the sustainable development and competitiveness of South African horticulture.
CIOPORA aims to ensure that Plant Breeders’ Rights are fair, effective and enforceable, enabling breeders to develop new varieties that are able to cope with a changing environment and ensure sustainably produced products for an ever growing population. Sapo Trust, Citrogold and TopFruit (via A.I.G.N.) are the South African members of the association.
Along with 120 CIOPORA members and guests from over 20 countries, CIOPORA’s AGM invitation was accepted by several high-level governmental delegations, including the officials from the People’s Republic of China, the EU, and the US. The meetings serve as a platform for knowledge transfer and establishment of a productive dialogue between governments and businesses as to potential improvement and further harmonization of the PBR regimes across various jurisdictions.
The full week’s program included the CIOPORA Academy Workshop on April 1, the Administrative meeting on April 2, the IP Around the Globe panel discussion and the Enforcement Symposium on April 3, the CIOPORA Conference dedicated to various aspects of the green business in newly industrialized countries on April 4, and the business visits hosted by Provar and Future Fynbos on April 5.
For more information:
CIOPORA
Deichstraße 29
20459 Hamburg
Germany
T: +49 (0)40-555-63-702
F: +49 (0)40-555-63-703
www.ciopora.org