The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) recently played a key role in a high-level study visit focused on Plant Variety Protection (PVP) legislative matters. This visit, co-organized by IPKey EU China, UPOV, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NGFA) of China, is a significant step in strengthening international collaboration on plant variety protection.
The study visit spanned several key European locations, including Brussels, Angers, and Geneva, offering Chinese delegates an in-depth look at the European Union's approach to PVP. Starting at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) in Brussels, the delegation then moved to Angers, home to the CPVO headquarters, where they engaged in workshops and sessions designed to deepen their understanding of EU seed laws.
A highlight of the visit to CPVO's headquarters in Angers was the participation of the President and Vice President of the CPVO, who welcomed representatives from the participating institutions. This visit also served to reinforce the ongoing cooperation facilitated by the new Administrative Agreement signed on May 26, 2021. This agreement, involving the CPVO and two of China's prominent PVP bodies—the Development Centre of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture (DCST, MOA), and the PVP Office of the State Forestry Administration (SFA)—aims to enhance collaboration in administrative, technical, operational, and training activities of mutual interest.
During the visit, workshops and sessions provided valuable insights into EU seed laws. The Chinese delegates also shared their perspectives on China’s PVP legislation and DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) testing.
This study visit represents a significant milestone in the global effort to strengthen the legislative framework for plant variety protection. By facilitating direct engagement between European and Chinese experts, the event has laid the groundwork for a more unified and effective approach to PVP worldwide. Such initiatives are essential for addressing the complex challenges facing global agriculture, including the need for resilient crop varieties in the face of climate change and the growing demand for food security.
The CPVO remains committed to fostering international partnerships that promote the sustainable development of agriculture through effective plant variety protection, and this study visit is a testament to the power of global collaboration in achieving these goals.
