The Ministry of Agriculture announced the implementation of a Plant Variety Registration benefiting local plant breeders and seed producers. The initiative has the backing of the European Union.
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez delivered the first plant breeders’ titles to representatives of several local companies. The companies are the first included in the new Plant Variety Registry. The registry seeks to improve the phytosanitary systems for plants and seeds and the diversity and typologies developed in different production areas in the Dominican Republic.
During an International Virtual Conference held at the Ministry’s headquarters, Benítez said that this initiative complies with national legislation to protect the plant breeders’ rights of the country’s producers.
He explained the new plant variety registry system is possible thanks to the support from the CARIPI Project of the European Union. The project is implemented through the Office for Registration of Varieties and Protection of Plant Breeders’ Rights (OREVADO) of the Ministry of Agriculture. The initiative also seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change through more resistant crops. The planting of these improved varieties improves local food productivity.
Benítez says the new system means the country is included among nations that can receive, process and register applications for plant varieties and seeds at the national and international level, following the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), national legislation and other international bodies.
Meanwhile, Ruth Alexandra (Sandy) Lockward, executive director of the National Intellectual Property Office (ONAPI), highlighted the importance of the initiative. She urged the authorities to continue supporting innovations.
Ignacio de Medrano Caballero, head of the International Cooperation Service of the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), congratulated the Dominican Republic for its tireless work in defense of intellectual property rights. He said the DR is first to implement the new system in the Caribbean. He stressed that the new Registry of Plant Varieties is a great step for the country.
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El Caribe
European Union
16 July 2020