The Community plant variety protection system has been from the start a success story.

Until 1995, there was no protection system for plant varieties on a European scale. Breeders who aimed at an European market for their varieties had to file applications for plant variety rights in each relevant European country. This was time and money consuming. Taking into account the requirements of the single European Market the European Commission took the initiative to create a Community plant variety protection system (Council Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 of 27 July 1994) to be implemented by an European agency, the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).

Since June 1995 more than 21.000 applications have been processed by the CPVO staff, resulting in the grant of more than 14.000 Community plant variety rights. The performance of the system reflects its attractiveness for breeders, who want to commercialize their varieties on a European scale. Indeed, as from the 1st May 2004, the
Community plant variety protection rights are valid on the territory of 25 European countries. Protecting new varieties throughout the entire European Union market is an effective way to assert the breeders' interests and make their investments in research and innovation profitable. The Community protection system managed by the CPVO has become the biggest of its kind in the world.

The Office will celebrate its tenth anniversary on 13 June 2005 in Angers in the presence of all those, who made the Community system what it is today: the members of the Administrative Council, the European Commission, representatives of UPOV, the examination offices, the breeders and the breeders’ organizations and, last but not least, the staff of the CPVO. In addition, representatives of local and regional authorities, politicians and the agricultural and horticultural industry will participate.

The CPVO is proud that the French Minister of Agriculture, Mr Bussereau, will be present as guest of honor. Furthermore, he will take the opportunity of this celebration to decorate the Chairman of the CPVO Administrative Council, Mr Carlos Godinho, and the President of the CPVO, Mr Bart Kiewiet, as knights of the “Ordre du Mérite
Agricole”.

Further information available on the CPVO web site:  http://www.cpvo.eu.int