b'with very diverse conditions which are not foreseeable to those requesting access. We want to change this and create a clearly defined and transparent setup, in which members can quickly access material for breeding and commercialization throughTHE IDEA IS TO FACILITATEstandard license agreements. ACCESS TO TRAITS FROM ES: WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT MEMBERS, I ASSUMEINNOVATORS IN PLANT BREEDING.JOINING THE ACLP WILL COME AT A PRICE?ACLP:Yes, there will be a membership fee for companies who want to join the platform. Though it is still a little too early to be specific about the fee structure, it is worth mentioning that thehappy to have some smaller breeders within the group of com-platform will be a non-profit initiative and therefore the member- panies currently discussing about the set-up of this initiative ship fee will exclusively be used to finance the platform. The ideabringing in their requirements and needs. is to facilitate access to traits from innovators in plant breedingThe main benefits for small companies include guaranteed whether public or private, willing to join the initiative, whileaccess to and freedom to operate (FTO) for breeding with all freedom to negotiate tailored licensing agreements will remain.varieties commercially available on the open market including The aim is to encourage the use of a standard license agreementthose containing patented traits offered within the platform and which will speed up the conclusion of such licenses at low ormaintaining such traits in progenies; minimizing transaction even zero transaction cost. Although financial conditions remaincosts to obtain a commercial license; guaranteed FTO for com-to be negotiated between the parties, all other components ofmercialization of traits contained in newly bred varieties.the license will be standardized. We are working on the final setup of membership conditions, and we are sure the benefitsES: WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? WHEN WILL THE of joining the platform will clearly outweigh the costs attached. PLATFORM BE LAUNCHED AND WHAT WOULD A COMPANY NEED TO DO TO BE ABLE TO JOIN IT?ES: WHAT IS THE SITUATION FOR SMALLER BREEDERS?ACLP:We are currently in the process of setting up the final WILL THEY BE ABLE TO JOIN AND WHAT IS THEIRframework for the ACLPincluding incorporation of the non-BENEFIT COMPARED TO THE BIG PLAYERS? profit legal entity, finalizing membership options, technical setup ACLP:The aim of the ACLP is to ensure easy and inexpensiveetc. We are aiming to start operating in the beginning of 2022. access to licenses for all members in generaland for smallAnyone who is interested in being part of the final platform companies in particular. Special considerations for small com- preparation process is invited to get in touch, without any future panies in the model are currently under discussion. We are verycommitment, at info@aclp.eu.EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 41'