Brussels, Belgium
June 6, 2007

The Community plant variety protection system launched in 1995 has grown in success, as shown by the 20,000th plant variety right granted by the Community Plant Variety Office.
 

Until 1995 there was no protection system at the European level. The protection system put in place with Council Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 of 27 July 1994, was to be implemented by a European agency, the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).
 

This system ensures exclusive industrial property right for the new varieties of plants throughout the territory of the 27 Member States.
 

By protecting new varieties the breeder's interests are asserted providing them with incentive to invest in research and innovation. The CPVO has become the biggest of its kind in the world reflecting the importance it represents for breeders.

 

For further information, please visit www.cpvo.europa.eu