CIOPORA Strengthens Engagement in India to Advance Plant Variety Protection

A CIOPORA delegation visited New Delhi in September as part of the association’s growing engagement with Indian authorities and stakeholders, advancing dialogue on stronger and more effective protection for vegetatively reproduced horticultural crops.

From September 7–11, a CIOPORA delegation travelled to New Delhi for a series of meetings with key authorities, research institutions, nursery representatives and other stakeholders involved in horticulture and Intellectual Property.

The delegation, led by CIOPORA Vice Secretary General Micaela Filippo, included CIOPORA members and Board members. It is part of a broader series of actions the association is undertaking to support the development of a legal framework that enables breeders to innovate further.

Earlier this year, CIOPORA welcomed Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson of India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), to the CIOPORA AGM in Alicante. His participation opened an important channel for dialogue between CIOPORA, Indian authorities and the international horticultural breeding community.

Bringing the needs of horticultural breeders to the table

During the mission, CIOPORA met with representatives of the PPVFRA, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, National Horticultural Board and the Indian Nurserymen Association.

The delegation also engaged with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and local industry and legal stakeholders who supported the organization of the visit.

Throughout the meetings, CIOPORA emphasized a message that has been at the heart of the work in India for several years: Different rules for different crops. India’s current Plant Variety Protection system has historically been shaped largely around seed and field crops. Vegetatively reproduced ornamental and fruit varieties, however, have different biological characteristics, production systems and commercial realities.

For CIOPORA, effective protection therefore requires solutions that reflect the specific needs of these crops.

Among the priorities raised during the discussions were:

• protection for all genera and species;

• a protection period of at least 25 years;

• protection of harvested material;

• appropriate treatment exclusion of vegetatively reproduced horticultural crops under the Farmers’ Exemption;

• clarity regarding Essentially Derived Varieties (EDVs); and

• stronger and more effective enforcement mechanisms.

From legislation to practical solutions

An important outcome of the mission was the confirmation that CIOPORA’s work in India needs to advance on two parallel tracks.

The first is long-term improvement of the legal framework. India is currently reviewing its PVP legislation, creating an important opportunity for CIOPORA to continue providing input on how protection for horticultural innovation could be strengthened.

The second is more immediate: finding immediate practical solutions to be successful under the current system.

Traceability was one of the key issues discussed. Current phytosanitary import and export procedures generally identify the crop but not the variety. Including variety denominations in relevant documentation could help improve traceability of plant material and potentially support enforcement of breeders’ rights. Encouragingly, Indian authorities showed openness to continuing this discussion.

Building relationships across the value chain

The delegation also reinforced that effective Plant Variety Protection cannot be achieved through legislation alone. Authorities, research institutions, breeders, nurseries, growers, plant-health authorities and other actors all have a role to play.

In particular, dialogue with the nursery sector will remain important. Strong protection for breeders must be accompanied by clear and workable pathways allowing nurseries to access and propagate protected varieties legitimately.

This is why the September delegation should not be seen as a one-off mission.

It is part of a long-term CIOPORA strategy to build stronger relationships in India, improve understanding of the specific needs of horticultural breeders and contribute constructively to the development of a PVP system that encourages breeders to bring new varieties and investment to the Indian market.

For more information on this visit, please see the report prepared by Vice Secretary General Micaela Filippo.