In a recent interview with Seed World Europe, Marcel Bruins, the editorial director, sits down with Nuria Urquia Fernandez, Vice President of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), to discuss the future of plant breeders' rights and the evolving landscape of intellectual property in agriculture.
Nuria Urquia Fernandez offers her expert perspective on several key issues, including the challenges facing provisional protection and enforcement, particularly in the fruit sector. She also shares her views on how new genomic technologies are reshaping the industry, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR) system to foster innovation while providing fair protection for breeders, farmers, and stakeholders.
Addressing the ongoing debate between patents and plant breeders' rights, Nuria stresses the need for a balanced approach that supports innovation without compromising the rights of those who develop new plant varieties. With over 30 years of experience in intellectual property and agriculture, the CPVO brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the PBR system remains inclusive and effective, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This insightful conversation provides a valuable look into the future of plant variety protection and how intellectual property can support sustainable agricultural innovation.