European Union Plant Variety Rights

European Union Plant Variety Rights (PVRs) are legal protections granted to breeders of new plant varieties, giving them exclusive rights to produce, sell, or use these plants within the EU. This encourages innovation by ensuring breeders can benefit financially from their efforts. PVRs are granted after a thorough evaluation confirming the variety’s distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability. The rights typically last for 25-30 years, depending on the plant type. They are national rights within the EU but coordinated under EU regulations, promoting the development and commercial use of new plant varieties across member countries while respecting breeders’ intellectual property.