b'AP:Intellectual property rights play a critical role in advanc- gains, then logically someone else must lose! These false narra-ing innovation and driving economic growth. Strong, robusttives often come in the form of disinformation or myth-informa-and harmonized intellectual property rules provide innovatorstion intended to create controversy, with the ultimate objective (breeders) with the confidence to make long-term investments inof stalling any progress to strengthen intellectual property laws. research and development, and to release their innovations intoWe have firsthand experience dealing with these false narratives: the marketplace. Research and development dollars are attractedIP only benefits large trans-national organizations; IP reduces to business environments with strong, stable and predictablegenetic diversity; if breeders win, then farmers must lose. Of intellectual property rights. The absence of such rules createscourse, the truth is very different from the fictional tale being risks and uncertainty. In my opinion, it is very difficult to developspun. Strong, fair and balanced PBR creates greater opportunity a vibrant, diverse and prosperous seed sector without strongfor everyone, including breeders (public and private), farmers plant breeders rights.and consumers. In Canada today, the single largest users of PBR in the agriculture sector are public breeding institutions (federal ES: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECOMMEND TOgovernment and agriculture universities), not large multination-OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE NOT YET MEMBERSals. The greatest growth in PBR use has been from small- and OF UPOV? medium-size businesses. In our experience, PBR protection is AP:If countries are interested in developing their agriculturedirectly linked to greater crop and varietal diversity.and horticulture sectors, UPOV membership is a key component. Strong UPOV-based intellectual property rights and being partES: WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO OVERCOME THESE of a harmonized framework internationally encourages invest- BARRIERS? ment in plant breeding and the release of new varieties into theAP:Countries need to see past the false rhetoric and base deci-marketplace. Canada has observed this firsthand with the imple- sion making on facts and evidence. Observe the changes that mentation of a UPOV 78-based PBR law, and then again withhave occurred in UPOV member countries and consider how they strengthened UPOV 91 amendments in 2015.can be applied in their own context. Consult broadly with stake-holders, including farmers, breeders and the public. Develop a ES: WHICH BARRIERS ARE COUNTRIES FACINGstrategy outlining the goals for the agriculture and horticulture IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANT BREEDERSsectors, including the important role PBR can play in supporting RIGHTS LEGISLATION? greater investment, innovation, and economic growth. Lastly, AP:Unfortunately, many countries are faced with staunch resist- reach out to seek advice and assistance from others. There is ance from anti-intellectual property activists. These groups oftena large community of UPOV members who are willing to share frame the discussion around a zero-sum proposition. If someonetheir insights, experiences and lessons learned.4 TOP SEED1SOLUTIONS PREMIUM FOR YOU LUCERNE/ALFALFAFor almost 40 years, weve been2HIGH PERFORMANCE SUNFLOWERpassionate creators of high-performanceFAST FORAGE3agricultural seed.Our expert seed developers are dedicated toQUALITY GRAIN always producing highest quality seed options4SORGHUMwith your on-farm challenges in mind.Get in touch today to learn more about how our ever-growing range of premium seed can work for you to achieveSORGHUMbigger returns on your farm, this season and every season.SUNFLOWER ALFALFA FORAGE SORGHUM GRAIN SORGHUM ernsttopitschnig@swseedco.com SW1615ESMErnst Topitschnig Phone +43 664 111 42 99EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 29'