The International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is critically important to the U.S. seed industry’s ability to conduct business, protect intellectual property rights, and provide leadership in plant breeding globally. Since UPOV issued Explanatory Notes on Essentially Derived Varieties (EDV) in 2017, the seed industry has raised questions and expressed concerns about how EDV is being implemented. At their meeting in October 2019, the UPOV Administrative and Legal Committee agreed to open those EDV Explanatory Notes for input and revision. The revised guidance will have a lasting impact on U.S. seed companies with commercial operations both in the U.S. and in UPOV member countries worldwide that have adopted the 1991 Act.
ASTA is working with global and regional seed industry associations and other stakeholders to influence the revised Explanatory Notes so the principle of EDV will be appropriately and consistently applied to ensure appropriate protection for all sexually and asexually propagated plant varieties.
For more information, contact:
Fan-Li Chou
Vice President, Scientific Affairs & Policy
fchou@betterseed.org
Abigail Struxness
Senior Director, International Programs & Policy
astruxness@betterseed.org
- ASTA Position Paper on Addressing EDV System Roles Accountabilities and Conditions
- Background and Resource Appendix for ASTA’s Position Paper Addressing EDV System Roles Accountabilities and Conditions – final
- China translation: ASTA Background and Resource Appendix
- China Translation: ASTA Position Paper on EDV System Roles, Conditions, and Accountabilities
- Seed World article – ASTA Engaged in Global Effort to Strengthen Plant Breeders’ Rights
- European Seed article – Seeking Clarity on EDV System Roles, Accountabilities and Conditions
