Japan strengthens protection for domestic plant varieties

Japan is preparing new legal measures to prevent the unauthorized export of plant varieties developed in the country, as part of efforts to protect agricultural intellectual property and support domestic breeders.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the government is strengthening rules under the Plant Variety Protection and Seed Act to stop valuable crop genetics from leaving the country without authorisation.

The ministry said the revised framework allows breeders to restrict overseas shipments of registered plant varieties, ensuring seeds and propagation materials cannot be taken abroad unless the rights holder permits it.

The change aims to address cases where Japanese varieties appeared in foreign markets without consent, undermining breeders’ rights and the competitiveness of domestic agriculture.

Under the updated system, plant breeders retain stronger control over how their varieties are used, propagated and exported. MAFF says the measures are designed to protect innovations developed through Japan’s breeding programmes while encouraging further investment in new crop varieties.

The ministry added that safeguarding intellectual property in agriculture is becoming increasingly important as global demand grows for premium Japanese produce and branded cultivars.

source and photo: maff.go.jp