Problems breeders face when enforcing their rights

1. Problems breeders face when enforcing their rights Bert Scholte Technical Director – ESA Regional seminar on enforcement of PVR – Warsaw 11-12.05.06

2. Topics • Introduction 2. Vegetable crops - examples 3. Agricultural crops - examples 4. Conclusions ESA European Seed Association

3. 1 - Introduction • ESA Members • Association members: • 33 National Seed Associations – 19 countries • Individual Members • 41 Individual Seed Companies • Associate Membership • Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia – Montenegro • Observers • 2 companies ESA European Seed Association

4. 1 - ESA Members Association Members: 33 National Association Members from 19 EU Member States representing > 400 Companies covering plant breeding, seed production and marketing 41 Individual Members: EU Turnover Number of companies turnover Total: ESA European Seed Association

5. 1 - Investment in Plant Breeding Seed business : investment in research : 12-15% turnover - need for strong Intellectual Property Protection - effective means of enforcing IP rights ESA European Seed Association

6. 1 - ESA – Mission statement ESA is the voice of the European seed industry, representing the interests of those active in research, breeding, production and marketing of seeds of agricultural, horticultural and ornamental plant species. ESA's mission is to work for • effective protection of intellectual property relating to plants and seeds; • fair and proportionate regulation of the European seed industry; • freedom of choice for customers (farmers, growers, industry, consumers) in supplying seeds as a result of innovative, diverse technologies ESA European Seed Association

7. ESA Organigram

8. 2 - Vegetables • Infringement – increasing problem • 2005 – set up of Working Groups • Germplasm misappropriation • Misappropriation of brands, logo’s and packaging material • (Vegetative) reproduction of seed propagated varieties ESA European Seed Association

9. 2 - Vegetable crops - examples • SVO Working Groups • Germplasm misappropriation • F1 hybrids sold under a different name • F2 seeds sold under the name of the hybrid ESA European Seed Association

10. 2 - Vegetable crops - examples • Parental Lines A x B • F1 - hybrid AB • F2 - hybrid segregating population ESA European Seed Association

11. 2 - Vegetable crops - examples • SVO Working Groups • Misappropriation of brands, logo’s and packaging material • Sales under a brand or logo of a major seed company • Forgery and re-use of packages ESA European Seed Association

12. ESA European Seed Association

13. ESA European Seed Association

14. 2 - Vegetable crops - examples • SVO Working Groups • (Vegetative) reproduction of seed propagated varieties • Open pollinated varieties • Hybrids ESA European Seed Association

15. 2 - Vegetable crops • Outcome of SVO Working groups • Monitoring • Legal actions by individual companies • PR campaign to inform growers ESA European Seed Association

16. 2 - Vegetables – enforcement problems • Evidence • Own initiative • Gathering of evidence on the spot • Involvement of examination offices • Use of CPVO examination reports • Court cases • One competent court • Costs ESA European Seed Association

17. General • Essentially Derived Varieties • UPOV ’91 – art 14.5 • Lack of provisions to assess ESA European Seed Association

18. 3 - Agricultural crops • Black market ( sales of uncertified seed ) • Farm Saved Seed • Open pollinated varieties • Hybrids • Use of Varieties not listed on the Common Catalogue ( grasses ) • Duration of Plant Breeders Rights ( potato ) ESA European Seed Association

19. 3 - FSS • Task Force on FSS set up in 2005 • Magnitude of the problem • Possibilities for improvement ESA European Seed Association

20. 3 - UPOV 1991 • Art 15.2 Exceptions to the Breeder’s Right • Provides for the use of FSS • Within reasonable limits • Subject to the safeguarding of the legitimate interest of the breeder • Optional exception • ESA is not in favor of implementation in National Law ESA European Seed Association

21. 3 – Farm Saved Seed • Information received from 19 EU Member States • 12 Old MS except Greece, Luxemburg, Portugal • 7 New MS except Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia • Area covered (2004) • 44.000.000 ha - cereals • 17.800.000 ha - winter wheat • 6.400.000 ha - spring barley • 6.200.000 ha - winter barley ESA European Seed Association

22. 3 - FSS cereals – Area 2004 ESA European Seed Association

23. 3 - FSS Potatoes – area 2004 • Potato area: 2.280.000 ha • Seed potatoes: 113.000 ha • % FSS: 63 % ( 23% - 96% ) • Area planted using FSS: 1.430.000 ha ESA European Seed Association

24. 3 - FSS Poland - 2004 ESA European Seed Association

25. 3 – FSS • Legal framework: • Art 14 – Basic Regulation (2100/94) • Limited to a restricted number of agricultural crops • Subject to the payment of an equitable remuneration to the breeder • Farmers are required to supply information on the use of FSS • Relevant info may be provided by official bodies ESA European Seed Association

26. 3 - FSS • Countries – functioning systems • Czech Republic, Finland, France (wheat), Holland, Ireland, UK • Other countries • No systems in place yet • Difficulties in obtaining information on the use of FSS • Involvement official authorities needed • Definitions in Legal framework to be revised ESA European Seed Association

27. 4 - Conclusions • Vegetable crops • Increase of infringements • Need for protection of inbred lines and hybrids • Need to reduce costs • Difficulties in gathering evidence • Need for specialized courts ESA European Seed Association

28. 4 - Conclusions • Agricultural crops • Need for involvement of official bodies – FSS • Need for amendments in the legal framework • Need for specialized courts ESA European Seed Association

29. Thank you for your attention Contact details: ESA Rue Luxembourg 23 - B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32-2-7432860 www.euroseeds.org