On Tuesday 1st October, EU cooperatives and farming organisations, as well as many other civil society organisations, once again voiced their opposition to the patentability of plants and animals obtained by conventional breeding techniques. The European Parliament recently adopted a joint resolution also along these lines (see EUROPE 12331/19).
This new outcry against the patentability of living organisms comes on the day of the expiry of the deadline set by the European Patent Office (EPO) for the consultation process (G3/19) to clarify legal issues concerning the patentability of plants and animals obtained by conventional breeding techniques. The decision, to be taken by the EPO by next year, could have serious consequences for the patentability of living organisms in Europe.
The European farming community will never be able to accept a system whose main objective is to generate income for patent holders, explains Copa-Cogeca in a statement. "We need breeding programmes that ensure open innovation and the development of better plants with greater value for farmers and the environment", says the organization. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)