3rd Global Congress and Open A.I.R. Conference

IP Protection in Seed for Commercial and Subsistence Purposes ­ a
Wonderful Fantasy or a Harsh Reality?

Many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan African, are currently establishing or updating their Plant Variety Protection (PVP) regimes through the regional organisations of which they are part. The challenge for these countries is to create a system that enhances food security and suits both their commercial and smallholder farmers’ interests. The three panellists have been tasked with representing one of the three approaches to this challenge: (1) ­ a strong heavily-enforced PVP system, (2) a more moderate “differentiated” system, or (3) no system at all! Each will have 10 minutes to convince the audience of the correctness of their position. The three presentations will be followed by a 30-minute session of debate involving both the panellists and the audience. ...