b'Most UPOV member countries already follow the correct interpretation. Only 11 holdouts remainBosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Germany, Kenya, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, and the United Statesshown here in green.affect the novelty of its parent lines. These countries recognize the legal and biological distinction between parent and hybrid and have adapted their legislation or interpretation accordingly. The outlier countriesjust 11 of themare creating uncertainty for breeders, Novelty in the UPOV 1991deterring investment, and misaligning with international norms. As global breeding and seed distribution become more intercon-Convention refers solely tonected, legal harmonization becomes both more important and the variety and not to anymore urgent.parent lines. So, the require- TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE CLARITYTo modernize their frameworks and support innovation, these ment shall be restricted toremaining countries should take concrete steps: Amend national legislation, where needed, to clarify thatthe variety only, and not itshybrid commercialization does not destroy novelty of parent lines.parent lines.I ssue interpretative guidance from national PVP offices to resolve ambiguity.Engage with the seed sector to understand the real-world impact of the current interpretation.Doing so would provide legal certainty to breeders, improve alignment with international partners, and reaffirm commitment would simply not release a hybrid, if the parent lines cannot beto innovation in agriculture.protected. Or the breeder would consider other (less performing)LETS NOT PENALIZE SUCCESShybrids with less innovative/value parent lines. The impact to thePVP systems were created to reward breedersnot to penalize market is less access to the newest innovation.them for commercial success. The parent lines behind hybrid vari-eties are often among the most valuable breeding materials, and THE GLOBAL STANDARD: ALIGNING WITH UPOVthey deserve protection in their own right. Aligning novelty inter-BEST PRACTICE pretation with scientific and legal realities is a small step with a Fortunately, most UPOV member countries have resolved thisbig impact.issue by clearly stating that commercialization of a hybrid does notIts time for changeand the global seed sector is ready. 28ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | NOVEMBER 2025'