2014 CIOPORA Chronicle

Voices of the industry
Tackling the thorny issues
The International Rose Breeders
Association (IRBA) was founded
in October 1989. It will celebrate
its silver jubilee at the 2014 IFTF
show, which will be held from
November 5 to 7 in Vijfhuizen,
the Netherlands.
IRBA currently has 15 active
member breeders of cut-roses. As
the association had been working
closely with CIOPORA regarding
many PBR cut rose issues, it was
decided at the IRBA meeting in
Nice 2005, to join Ciopora as a crop
section which today is known as the
CIOPORA Crop Section Cut Rose.
This ‘joint venture’ has strengthened
the ties between both organisations,
resulting in a more productive collaboration
on important PBR issues.
Ecuador
There are different key PBR issues
affecting the rose industry. Ecuador,
for example, has become
a problem for breeders; especially
regarding their annual maintenance
fees for PBR titles.
The country has been imposing the
highest fees for the registration and
maintenance of PBR of any of the
main rose exporting countries. By
teaming up with CIOPORA, IRBA
has pointed out the negative impact
on breeders and growers alike.
IRBA and CIOPORA have continuously
emphasised that the discounts
of the PBR fees offered by the Ecuadorian
government to the breeders
by Omer Schneider
with breeding programs in Ecuador
do not cure the violation of Article
3.1 of the TRIPS Agreement. IRBA’s
concerns have also been presented to
the EU. Following the IRBA meeting
in The Hague, the Netherlands,
the Ecuadorian government published
a discount structure for fees
that is outlined in this same issue
by Ciopora and IRBA member,
Mr. Dean Rule. Page 44.
Although Ecuador is a very important
market for many cut rose
breeders, there is a general consensus
that within Ecuador most breeders
might restrict availability of certain
niche market varieties that have
been an important part of the mix
of Ecuadorian growers. At the same
time, many breeders are committed
to continue working with the
excellent and honest growers in the
country who have been actively
promoting new varieties, while at
the same time working to stop shipments
from illegal farms at entry
points in export markets.
Russia
Russia is also a quite problematic
market for cut roses. Even though
the rose is the No. 1 flower in Russia,
only 15% of the cut roses on the
market are produced locally. There
are approximately 200 hectares of
cut rose production – most, if not
all, illegal. The current expansion
is estimated at 63 hectares, 30 of
which might be illegal.
In order to get some protection,
breeders must register their varieties
with Gossortkom, the National
Plant Variety Protection Office,
with the objective of striving for
PBR and additionally obtaining
trademark protection. Russia has
acceded to the 1991 Act of the
UPOV Convention, but still needs
to establish mechanisms for market
monitoring and control of alleged
illegal growers. IRBA and CIOPORA
have a joint venture in place and
are working with a law firm in
Russia to address key issues.
The pertinent question is how
to implement an improved PBR
protection system.
Rosa ‘Paloma’
by Rosen Tantau
(Photo credits:
Rosen Tantau).
Kenya
Recently, the Kenya Flower Council (KFC)
has introduced a Code of Conduct regarding
breeders. IRBA has been working with KFC to
ensure that the code is not restrictive for the cut
rose breeders. Since breeders can’t always be present
at the meetings, the association assigned two
breeder associates in Kenya to represent IRBA
during important KFC meetings and to report
back to IRBA. No decisions were to be made
without IRBA’s approval. By the end of March
2014 the code KS 1758-2004 was finalised and
approved by IRBA, and a copy was submitted to
the IRBA members and CIOPORA.
Mexico
IRBA member and President of CIOPORA,
Andrea Mansuino, had recently visited Mexico.
He reported on cut rose production and advised
that most of the production there was illegal.
Though there is a PBR law in place, Mexico has
not been successful with its implementation.
Most of the production is for local consumption.
However, there appears to be some export activity
developing.
It was agreed that CIOPORA and IRBA should
develop a joint action plan to address the issues in
Mexico to better protect PBR on cut rose varieties.
Other countries that are continuously monitored
regarding PBR development are Brazil, China,
Ethiopia, and a number of others with emerging
floriculture activities. |||
About the author
For the past 18 years, Mr. Omer Schneider has been chairing the
International Rose Breeders Association (IRBA), which has become the
CIOPORA Crop Section Cut Rose IRBA. He is past President of CIOPORA
(1996-1999) and had been on the Board of the association for 21 years. He is
also past President of AARA (All American Rose Selection). Mr. Schneider
has acquired his extensive expertise in the area of rose breeding and
marketing at Jackson & Perkins Co/Bear Creek Corporation, where he
worked for 36 years, including a decade in role of Sr. Vice President.
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