International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants:
The report released by GRAIN documented how a growing number of FTAs compel countries to adopt plant variety protection standards set by the 1991 UPOV Convention.
- UPOV is an intergovernmental organization established in 1961 to provide an effective system of plant variety protection.
- It administers the UPOV Convention, which provides a legal framework for plant variety protection implemented by its members.
- Under this framework, breeders of new plant varieties are granted an intellectual property right known as the breeder’s right, which incentivizes innovation in plant breeding.
- The UPOV Convention entered into force in 1968 and was revised in 1972, 1978 and 1991, each time strengthening plant breeders’ rights.
- Governance of International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV):
- The UPOV member countries hold annual meetings of the UPOV Council, a permanent body under the UPOV Convention.
- Other UPOV bodies include the Consultative Committee, the Administrative and Legal Committee, and the Technical Committee.
- Member countries: 80 members have become member of UPOV. (India is not a member of this organization)
- Headquarter: Geneva (Switzerland).
