The NIAB Ornamentals team will be exhibiting on the ‘Plant breeders’ rights in Europe’ stand alongside the European Community Plant Variety Office, the Bundessortenamt (Germany), and the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture (Naktuinbouw) at IPM 2015.
The IPM is taking place from 27 to 30 January in Essen, Germany, with the ‘Plant breeders’ rights in Europe’ stand in Hall 2, stand number 2B23. With more than 1,500 exhibitors from over 50 countries and some 57,000 visitors, the IPM (International Trade Fair for Plants, Technology, Floristry and Garden Features) is the world’s leading trade fair for the horticultural industry.
NIAB’s Elizabeth Scott, Hilary Papworth, Peter Baker, Tara Sheldrake and Debbie Hatter will be joining colleagues from the Bundessortenamt and Naktuinbouw, working with the CPVO on the stand to explain to visitors how the system for plant breeders’ rights for new plant varieties works in practice.
Before plant variety rights can be granted, a variety has to prove that it is distinct from all other varieties, uniform and that it remains stable during repeated propagation (DUS). Compliance with these requirements is assessed during a growing trial by examination offices entrusted by the CPVO, including NIAB, the Bundessortenamt and Naktuinbouw.
The CPVO, responsible for the implementation of the Community plant variety protection system, provides an intellectual property right for new plant varieties, valid throughout the territory of the 28 Member States of the European Union. The CPVO, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015, has processed over 50,000 applications since 1995. In 2014, the CPVO received 3,626 applications making 2014 a record year.