Commercialisation, protection juridique et culture des variétés OGM

Placing on the market, breeders rights and growing Genetically Modified (GM) varieties

Yvette Dattée

34 rue du Hameau, 75015 Paris, France

Résumé

La description de la réglementation sur les variétés et les semences montre qu'elle satisfait les pays européens, elle est fondée sur la technique, elle sait s'adapter aux progrès techniques, elle promeut le progrès génétique. Cette réglementation permet un commerce loyal. Elle résulte d'une concertation étroite entre techniciens et juristes et c'est ce qui lui confère sa pertinence. Aujourd'hui, la réglementation des produits issus des biotechnologies est tellement lourde à mettre en œuvre qu'elle freine le progrès des connaissances et met le devenir de l'agriculture européenne en péril.

Abstract

Regulations on seeds and varieties established 80 years ago proved to be efficient for European agriculture. Genetic progress for many traits, such as yield resistance to pests and diseases, have been observed for all cultivated crops. Plant variety protection by the UPOV (Union Internationale pour la Protection Végétale) system came into being with the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants by a diplomatic conference in Paris on December 2, 1961. At this point the rights of plant breeders were recognized on an international basis. The UPOV Convention provides a sui generis form of intellectual property protection which has been specifically adapted for the process of plant breeding and has been developed with the aim of encouraging breeders to develop new varieties of plants. In contrast, the European GM regulation is very difficult to apply, very expensive and limits the development of biotechnology in Europe, as well for research as for development.