The Voice of Plant Breeders
Since 1961, we’ve supported breeders around the world in protecting their innovations through plant variety IP, policy advocacy, and education.
Our Mission
CIOPORA unites the global community of breeders of asexually reproduced horticultural plants.
Our mission is to protect and promote innovation in plant breeding by strengthening Plant Variety Protection systems worldwide. We bring together breeders, associations, IP experts, and consultants to advocate for effective Plant Breeders’ Rights, provide education across the horticultural value chain, and raise global awareness about the importance of Intellectual Property for the future of horticulture.
Our Work
IP Advisory
Education on Plant IP
We work to strengthen plant IP protection systems by advising governments on the content of laws and effective enforcement.
We educate all actors of the horticultural value chain on IP for plants and their economic significance via the CIOPORA Academy program.
Representation
Coordination
We represent plant breeders, promotes and advocates for their interests before international organizations, governments, and industry groups.
We initiate, run, and coordinate member projects and actions, including enforcement, and facilitates networking and business development.
Monitoring
We monitor continuously and reports on the global developments in IP for plants as well as the areas of biotechnology and biodiversity.
Communication
We compile, communicate, and promote comprehensive positions on IP and informs its members about important developments in IP worldwide.
CIOPORA Structure
CIOPORA is an association operating under Swiss law and has its registered seat in Geneva. The CIOPORA Administrative Office with the seat in Hamburg, Germany, is headed by the Secretary General.
The supreme authority of CIOPORA is the Annual General Meeting of its members. The control over the affairs of the association is entrusted to its Board headed by the President of CIOPORA. CIOPORA members participate in the crop-oriented and topic-specific subentities - the CIOPORA Crop Sections, Working Groups and the Lawyer Panel.
CIOPORA Bylaws
The CIOPORA Bylaws are the association's governing document. In the text of the bylaws, you will find all the necessary information about CIOPORA's structure, goals, objectives, and membership, as well as its sections, committees, and working groups.
Bylaws of CIOPORA
Updated April 2019
Crop Sections, Lawyers' Panel and Working Groups
CIOPORA has several working groups specialized in different crops and areas of interest.
These groups are formed based on the interests of our members and aim to address specific aspects of certain crops or particular topics.
Participation in these groups is exclusive to CIOPORA members.
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