Plant variety protection | Update December 2022

Seminar on the role of plant breeding and plant variety protection in enabling agriculture to mitigate and adapt to climate change

During the UPOV week (24 – 28 October 2022) in Geneva, the second and last part of the seminar focussed on the role of plant breeding and plant variety protection in enabling agriculture to mitigate and adapt to climate change occurred.

Earlier in October, part one of the seminar had already taken place. A wide range of presentations (33 in total) came from scientists, researchers, breeders, representatives of authorities, the industry, and branch organisations from farmers and growers.

The SPG members were informed about the first part of the seminar in October’s SPG- newsletter, which you can view on the AIPH Community Hub.

The second part of the UPOV convention included a review of the outcomes of the first seminar.

The president of UPOV’s Council, Mr Marien Valstar, made the following conclusions:

• Climate change is increasingly affecting everyone around the world: breeders, farmers, growers and consumers.
• Effects are biotic (new pests and diseases) and abiotic (heat, drought, rain, seasonal changes).
• A range of strategies is needed to respond to the challenges. Plant breeding has a vital role to play in these strategies; farmers and growers need new plant varieties to adapt to climate change, but also to increase productivity to minimise climate change sustainably.
• Plant breeding is a long-term process that requires long-term investment from public institutions and private companies.
• Plant breeders need a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and supports the conservation and utilization of genetic resources.
• The UPOV system enables plant breeders to provide farmers and growers with the varieties they will need to feed the world in the face of climate change.

The complete documents (including the videos and PowerPoint presentations) are posted on the UPOV website (see UPOV Circular E-22/213). Click for the direct link to the website.