Counting down to CIOPORA’s 58th AGM

CIOPORA, the International Association of Breeders of Asexually Reproduced Ornamental and Fruit Varieties, will host members and friends from around the world from April 1-5, 2019, at the 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The event will bring together innovative breeders from the ornamental and fruit sectors, as well as intellectual property (IP) experts, to discuss the current system of IP protection for plant innovation. Members will vote on administrative matters and enjoy multiple days of expert presentations, issue-driven meetings, educational programming and networking events.

The programme includes a panel discussion on Essentially Derived Varieties (EDV) and Minimum Distance with Mr Peter Button (UPOV), Mr Francesco Mattina (CPVO), Wendy Cashmore (CIOPORA Co-Vice President, Plant & Food Research) and Micha Danziger (Danziger “DAN” Flower Farm); the Enforcement symposium with breeders sharing their experiences in the IP rights enforcement worldwide.

Also on the CIOPORA AGM agenda are: explanations as to the Chinese PBR regime by  high level officials from P.R. of China, clarification of amendments to the PVP Act in the US after the Farm Bill 2018 by Dr. Ruihong Guo (US Department of Agriculture), US Plant Patents & IP Attaché Program by Dominic Keating (USPTO) and lectures on Chinese IP regime and PBR enforcement by the Honourable Senior Judge Ms Luo Xia (Supreme People’s Court of P.R. of China).

On April 4, the CIOPORA Conference will focus on various aspects of the green business in developing and newly industrialised countries with reports from horticulturalists and IP experts from around the globe.

Announced as keynote speaker is Prof Dr Julian Kinderlerer (University of Cape Town) who will address the ethical aspects of IP protection.

Throughout the week, CIOPORA expects over 100 guests to attend various AGM sessions and is looking forward to meeting members and guests from all over the world in the midst of South Africa’s greatest horticultural hub.

Here is the programme: https://www.ciopora.org/agm

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