Patents on seeds
Since 1990, the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted many patents related to conventionally-bred (non-GM) plants. These patents are of questionable legality and could begin to restrict farmers' access to conventionally bred seeds.
In May 2012, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the EPO to stop granting patents on conventionally bred plants.
GM plants are routinely patented, granting monopoly rights over the seeds: the EPO has granted 1602 patents on GM plants since 1990.
To oppose patents on seeds sign the Avaaz petition
Resources
- Press releases
- Press articles
- European Parliament: Parliament says no to patenting plants bred naturally (23rd September 2019)
- DW: Patents on plants: Is the sellout of genes a threat to farmers and global food security? (3rd September 2019)
- No Patents on Seeds: EU Commission says plants and animals derived from conventional breeding should be regarded as non-patentable (3rd November 2016)
- First Post: Falling afoul of IPR? Giant corporations suing poor farmers from developing countries, says UN report (9th March 2016)
- IP Watch: EPO Backs Patents On Conventional Plants: Broccoli, Tomato Cases Decided (30th March 2015)
- InfoJustice: Europe-Wide Resistance Against Syngenta's Patent on Pepper (3rd February 2014)
- Public Service Europe: The dangers of GM - Europe must learn the lessons from America (14th May 2012)
- Public Service Europe: Agricultural patents 'threat' to Europe's farmers (10th April 2012)
- External links
- European Parliament resolution of 10 May 2012 on the patenting of essential biological processes
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No Patents on Seeds
The organisations behind No Patents On Seeds are especially concerned about increasing number of patents on plants, seeds and farm animals and their impact on farmers, breeders, innovation and biodiversity.
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European Patent Office: The "melon patent" case - FAQ
Explains the dispute about a European patent on a conventionally-bred melon. Since 1990, the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted 88 patents related to conventionally-bred (non-GM) plants.