CIOPORA Chronicle 2015

From the President
such as the ‘breeders´ exemption’ or the ‘minimum distances for distinction between protectable
varieties’ have been unanimously approved by the CIOPORA membership, which includes most
prominent flower and fruit breeders from Holland, Germany, France, USA, New Zealand, Australia
and South Africa, just to mention a few countries.
And on another note, to avoid doubts and react to some unsubstantiated rumors, let me confirm that
these positions state that CIOPORA is strongly in favor of the breeders´ exemption, a fundamental
UPOV principle that allows genetic improvement in the plant world, and is strongly in favor of robust
IP protection for new and clearly distinguishable plant varieties.
In the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hamburg, in April 2015, CIOPORA members once
again approved a complex position paper on various General Matters of Plants Breeders´ Rights,
including the concept of Novelty, different formal issues and enforcement, amongst others. Intense
discussions are also taking place on two very hot topics - the Essentially Derived Varieties and the
use of Patents in the plant world - and members wish further debates based on substantial knowledge
before accepting any position.
Also at AGM 2015, we discussed the future or our organization and how to better meet the needs
of our members. CIOPORA has decided to question itself and to try to find an answer to the
fundamental question: “Where do we want to be in five years?”.
Based on a SWOT analysis conducted by an external auditor and on a Members’ Web Survey,
CIOPORA has decided to increase its commitment in areas where its knowledge can be of great
support for the breeders in addition to its fundamental mission of networking among breeders and
supporting breeders' rights, worldwide.
More communication and education on IP in plants directed to members and to the whole industry,
more political involvement in Patents and Biodiversity discussions and their implications for the
breeders, and an active assistance in the enforcement activities of its members are the new priorities of
CIOPORA for the coming years.
I am very proud of this process, which is very democratic and challenging especially for the CIOPORA
leadership. As President of this organization, I am very confident that all the above will bring fruitful
results for the breeders´ community. Our Board, our Secretary General and the entire CIOPORA
office are deeply committed to making the association better every day, understanding the needs of the
members, and anticipating changes in the industry and society.
In the pages of this magazine you will read very high-level articles written by some of the top experts in
our industry. I am sure that you will find them informative, educational and intellectually enriching.
CIOPORA is proud to offer them to you.
I wish you a good reading.
Sincerely,
Andrea Mansuino
President of CIOPORA
CIOPORA Chronicle June 2015 | www.FloraCulture.eu 9