Francesco Mattina confirmed as CPVO’s President

Francesco Mattina.

ANGERS, France: Francesco Mattina was confirmed on 20 December as the Community Plant Variety Office’s (CPVO) new President.

Mattina, who became CPVO’s interim President after Martin Ekvad retired, was recommended by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union (COREPER).

In an address to Europe’s horticulture community Mattina says,

“This appointment is a real honour for me and the beginning of a new adventure. Even though I will officially take up my duties in the coming weeks and there will be more communication in due time, I thought it was worth sharing the news with you all today.

Today, I would simply like to reassert my willingness and commitment to work hand-in-hand with you to make sure the Community Plant Variety Right system and the CPVO continue providing value to the breeders, to our stakeholders and to the society at large.

After a fully disruptive 2020, the year 2021 was again a very special year.

It started with strict confinement measures and hopes for the vaccination roll-out. It was followed by an even more hopeful summer period and it is now ending with concerns about the omicron variant. In this respect I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy.

From a business viewpoint, 2021 was not a bad year. We will publish more statistics at the beginning of the New Year but the latest figures are very encouraging: the CPVO received more applications and granted more titles up to this day in 2021 than in 2020.

The end of the year was also very rich from an institutional standpoint.

The duration of protection for certain species was extended by the co-legislators, we participated in a hearing before the European Parliament’s (EP) Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and we read with interest the EP resolution on the EU Intellectual Property Action Plan, where CPVRs have a major role to play.

I am sure the first half of 2022 will be equally busy and exciting, as we are waiting for the publication of the EUIPO Observatory’s study assessing the contribution of the Community Plant Variety Right system on the European economy and society, and we are planning to host an event in Spring at the occasion of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.

I look forward to connecting again with you in the New Year. For the time being, I wish you all a pleasant read and I send you my best wishes for a peaceful and happy festive season to you and your loved ones.”