Southeast Asian officials to join study visit on plant variety protection in Viet Nam
IP Key SEA organised a study visit on plant variety protection (PVP) in Viet Nam on 5-6 November for high-level officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. Co-organised by the Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam, the activity provided a practical understanding of the benefits of a strong PVP system and of membership in the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV Convention).
Representatives from IP Key SEA, the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the PVPO advised on PVP best practices and benefits. A representative from the private sector in Viet Nam also shared how they have benefited from a strong PVP regime. Meetings with several plant breeders onsitedemonstrated how best practices are applied to maximise the benefits of PVP.
Viet Nam is well placed to host the study visit as it has implemented the UPOV Convention and is particularly active in promoting PVP. A strong PVP system is considered useful for economic development as it fosters increased plant breeding activity, diversification of available plant varieties, and heightened industry competitiveness, among other benefits.