UPOV Press Release No. 39Geneva, April 23, 1999
PANAMA AND BRAZIL ACCEDE TO UPOVThe Governments of the Republic of Panama and the Federative Republic of Brazil deposited today their instruments of accession to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The purpose of the UPOV Convention is to acknowledge the achievements of breeders of new plant varieties by granting them an exclusive property right on the basis of a set of uniform and clearly defined principles. To be eligible for protection, varieties have to meet certain conditions such as being distinct from existing, commonly known varieties and sufficiently homogeneous and stable. Protection is given to plant breeders both as an incentive to the development of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and to safeguard the interests of plant breeders. Improved varieties are a necessary and cost-effective ingredient for achieving food security in a sustainable way. The Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, who is also Secretary-General of UPOV, welcomed Panamas and Brazils accession to the 1978 Act of the UPOV Convention. The stimulus for plant breeding in the Latin-American region provided by the accession of Panama and Brazil would make an important contribution to agricultural development in the region. The accessions of the Republic of Panama and the Federative Republic of Brazil, which enter into force on May 23, 1999, bring the total number of member States of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) to 43. They are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uruguay. UPOV, an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, cooperates in administrative matters with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). For further information about UPOV, please contact the UPOV Secretariat: Tel. (+41-22) 338 9155 |
