The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a report by Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) aimed at better protection of a type of patent right held by Dutch plant developers. “Through this agreement, creators of new varieties have more time to recoup their investment,” said Ruissen.
In the plenary vote in Strasbourg, 641 MEPs voted in favor, with only 38 against and 8 abstentions. Earlier, the Parliament’s agriculture committee had given near-unanimous approval.
The EU agreement extends breeder’s rights on items including flower bulbs, asparagus, and various ornamental plants from 25 to 30 years. Breeder’s rights regulate financial compensation for plant breeders. The longer term is beneficial for innovation, research, and development, Ruissen explained.
The development of new varieties of tulips, daffodils, and other flower bulbs is expected to receive a boost. Flower bulbs are an important export product for the Netherlands. The country is also home to several leading companies specializing in plant breeding and developing new plant traits.
Breeder’s rights protect the work of breeders but also prevent a few large companies from monopolizing plants and plant traits. This balance was threatened in recent years after the European Patent Office (EPO) appeared to open the door to granting patents on plant traits. However, the EPO reversed this stance last year.
The extended breeder’s rights for flower bulbs and certain crops could provide an impulse to Dutch breeding companies, Ruissen had stated earlier.
Ruissen graduated in agricultural plant cultivation from Wageningen University. In the European Parliament, he is a member of the Committee on Agriculture. Last month, as a negotiator, he was also involved in the EU agreement on the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union, which takes effect in 2023.