Tokyo, Japan — The International Seed Federation (ISF) participated in the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) 2025 Regional Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and Biodiversity Consultations in Tokyo, contributing to high-level discussions on Essentially Derived Varieties (EDVs) and their role in fostering innovation within plant variety protection systems.
ISF was represented by Lorelei Garagancea, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager, and Jasmina Muminovic, Chair of the ISF Coordination Group on Genetic Resources. The event was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) and the Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA).
What is an EDV?
The concept of EDV, established under the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention, recognizes the contribution of the breeder of an initial variety. It ensures that breeders can recoup investments in developing new plant varieties while maintaining the breeder’s exemption, which is a mechanism that enables further research and commercialization of the resulting varieties (potentially, an EDV).
The EDV concept is therefore a legal tool that promotes the interests of both the breeder of the
initial variety and the subsequent breeder, as only a portion of the latter’s revenue is shared with the former. Discussions during the consultations addressed both the legal interpretation and the technical implementation of the EDV concept, which are essential for ensuring consistency and clarity across jurisdictions.
ISF’s Commitment
ISF remains committed to fostering a predictable understanding of the EDV concept through its intellectual property position. This work supports a level playing field for breeders worldwide, promotes innovation, and provides guidance that may also be used in arbitration proceedings under the auspices of ISF.
For more information about this event, please get in touch with Lorelei Garagancea of the ISF Secretariat.
