Over 170 professionals from different areas gathered for the latest version of the major event of the plant breeding association. During the week, Wendy Cashmore (New Zealand), was elected to lead during the next three years the organization of breeders of asexually reproduced horticultural plants.
The 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CIOPORA has come to a successful close, marking the largest AGM in the association’s history. From April 17th to 20th, more than 170 participants gathered in Alexandria, US, to discuss breeding innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights of plant breeders.
The four-day event was full of insightful lectures and discussions by breeders, expert lawyers, researchers, university representatives, and authorities from several countries related to the plant breeding field. Some examples of the topics addressed during the convention were the importance of IP in the entire production chain; the concepts of EDV, Variety Constituents and Harvested Material; the analysis of practical enforcement cases, among others.
Thanks to the relevance of the topics discussed and the participation of industry leaders from all over the world, the CIOPORA AGM has positioned itself as a unique space dedicated completely to discussing intellectual property rights for plant breeders.
“The success of our AGM 2023 reflects the importance of innovation and plant improvement for our society. In order to incentivise plant breeding, it is necessary that all plant breeders enjoy adequate protection of their Intellectual Property that protects the fruit of their work”, said the Secretary General of CIOPORA, Dr. Edgar Krieger.
The AGM is the major event of CIOPORA, and represents a unique opportunity to connect with leading experts in the plant breeding field, learn about the latest developments in this area, and contribute to shaping the future of the legal framework of the plant industry.
Wendy Cashmore was elected the new President of CIOPORA
As a major part of the AGM, the association members elected a new board and a new President, Ms. Wendy Cashmore, who will lead the organization for the next three years, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise in the plant breeding industry.
Wendy, a director of Trajectory 762 Ltd., an apple breeding company, and founding partner of
Plant IP Partners, New Zealand, is the first woman, fruit representative, and the first inhabitant from the southern hemisphere to hold the position of President of the largest breeders’ association of asexually reproduced plants. “The AGM has been an exciting week connecting with horticultural plant breeders and IP experts worldwide. As always, we’ve had excellent opportunities to get up to date on global IP developments and to talk extensively about plant breeding innovation – and a chance to grow our network of knowledgeable contacts, new colleagues and new collaborators. It’s also been a good time to acknowledge the 62 years CIOPORA has committed to the progress of plant IP rights, the value of its positive approach to raising knowledge and IP awareness among its members, across the industry, and broader society,” said Wendy.
CIOPORA Board 2023 - 2026
Name | Company | Country |
Wendy Cashmore (President) | Plant IP Partners Limited | New Zealand |
Dean Rule (Vice President) | E.G. Hill | Ecuador |
Michael Carriere (Vice President) | UC Davis Innovation Access | US |
Ingrid Slangen | Selecta One | Germany |
Andrea Mansuino | NIRP International | Italy |
Matthias Meilland | Meilland | France |
Kim van Rijssen | Plantipp | The Netherlands |
Viresh Ramburan | Citrogold | South Africa |
Tosca Ferber | Dümmen Orange | The Netherlands |
An Van den Putte | Better3Fruit | Belgium |
Jan Wouter van Eck | Fresh Forward | The Netherlands |
The CIOPORA AGM has established itself as the main space to learn and discuss innovation in plant breeding and how to protect this work. In 2024, this event will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, between April 15th and 19th, and as usual, it’s expected to attract a diverse range of participants worldwide.
For more information, please visit:
CIOPOA website: www.ciopora.org
CIOPORA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ciopora
CIOPORA on Twitter: @CIOPORA_IP
CIOPORA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CIOPORA
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