Introduction to the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum

The East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum consists of ASEAN Plus Three countries (China, Japan, Korea) was established in 2007 to exchange a wide range of ideas and information to establish effective PVP systems consistent with the UPOV Convention among Forum members towards achieving all Forum members’ membership of UPOV, as a basis for further PVP harmonization and cooperation in the
region in order to contribute to developing sustainable agriculture and achieving food security.

 

10-Year Strategic Plan of the EAPVP Forum

The 10-Year Strategic Plan of the EAPVP Forum (2018-2027) provides the “Common Direction” as strategic goals that the Forum wants to get to for the next 10 years. Further, the 10-YSP is intended to present our stakeholders and our international partners with a clear vision and objectives of the Forum in order to work together in a transparent and synergetic manner.

The 10-Year Strategic Plan also provides “Individual Implementing Strategies (IIS)” that were produced by each member country while reflecting the Common Direction.

Based on the “Common Direction” adopted at the Forum as well as “Individual Implementing Strategies” presented by member countries, the Forum will focus on those activities in line with the Common Direction of the 10-Year Strategic Plan during the relevant period of the strategic plan.

Common Direction

(a)

“Long-term direction” as the Forum’s long-term direction reflecting its interests
Establish effective PVP systems consistent with the UPOV Convention among Forum members towards achieving all Forum members’ membership of UPOV, as a  basis for further PVP harmonization and cooperation in the region in order to contribute to developing sustainable agriculture and achieving food security

(b)

“Objectives” as Forum’s direct goals to be achieved over the next 10 years in Common direction

-Objective1:
Strengthen national PVP system consistent with the UPOV Convention to encourage investment in plant breeding

-Objective2:
Contribute to support achievement of UPOV membership, to facilitate harmonization of application and examination procedures, and to enhance efficient PVP cooperation in the region

(c)

“Core activities” as prioritized activities to achieve the Objective1 and Objective2, national-specific activities and regional
cooperation activities, are given, respectively, as follows:

– National-specific activities to achieve Objective 1, which will be implemented according to development of each Forum member’s PVP system consistent with the UPOV Convention

  1. Develop national PVP laws and regulations, with the assistance of the Office of UPOV
  2. Establish/strengthen national administrative procedures for implementing PVP system from filing of application to granting rights
  3. Capacity building for examination of applications
  4. Develop DUS test guidelines
  5. Awareness raising on UPOV system for relevant officers, policy makers and stakeholders
    (better understanding of UPOV system and its benefits, etc.)
  6. Strengthen private-public partnership to foster effective PVP system

– Regional cooperation activities to achieve Objective 2

  1. Cooperate to develop DUS test guidelines consistent with the UPOV system
  2. Cooperate to develop a harmonized application form and examination procedure
  3. Cooperate on trainings and exchange of experience on PVP administration, DUS examination, etc.
  4. Share best practices for effective enforcement

The regional cooperation activities would be implemented by plural/whole of Forum members in a cooperative and effective manner

Individual Implementing Strategy

Each Forum member is encouraged to produce an Individual Implementing Strategic Plan as its national-level strategy which reflects the Common Direction mentioned above. The Individual Implementing Strategy includes national-specific activities taking into account each Forum member’s individual circumstances. The Forum members can update its Individual Implementing Strategy on their accord periodically, and are encouraged to share with the Forum member.

The Plan may include:
  1. National goal (for next 10 years)
  2. Objectives (with analysis of challenges (for next 3 years)
  3. Planned activities (for next 3 years)
  4. Roadmap

Each country proposes and implemented cooperation activities based on the Individual Implementing Strategy.

Cooperation Activities
Place priorities on these activities in line with the
“Common Direction” of the 10-Year Strategic Plan
with support of donor(s)

Rule of Procedure for EAPVP Forum

The Rule of Procedure (ROP) for the East Asia Plant Variety Forum was adopted at the 11th Annual Meeting of the EAPVP Forum and revised at the 12th Annual Meeting of the EAPVP Forum.

The ROP is intended to assist all members and guests (partners) of the Forum to implement cooperation activities and other relative activities under the Forum as well as to operate Annual Meetings of the Forum.

The Forum’s cooperation activities proposed by the members each year, which require financial support in particular, need to be in line with the Common Direction of the 10-Year Strategic Plan with a view to streamlining the Forum’s cooperation activities toward further harmonization and/or integrity of the PVP system in East Asian region.

Rule of Procedere (PDF:127KB)

Forum History

2007

October
Workshop on the Cooperation and Harmonization in Plant Variety Protection in the Asian Region
Representatives from governments and organizations in the East Asian region met to discuss the strengthening of systems for protecting plant varieties. Japan’s proposal to set up an East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum received their support, and a joint statement was issued about ways in which countries in the region would work together to achieve common goals in this field.Joint Statement (PDF⁄14KB)
Japan
November
Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture, Fishery, and Forestry of ASEAN Plus Three
(Japan, China, Republic of Korea)
To set up the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum was approved.
Thailand

2008

June
To join the PVP Course in Netherlands (Indonesia) Netherlands
July
The 1st Meeting of East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Japan
August
Basic Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
October
Visit to Study on Plant Variety Protection to Netherlands (Indonesia) Netherlands
November
The 1st Workshop for Cooperation in Harmonization of Test Guidlines(TGs) and DUS Test Indonesia
APEC’s Seminar on Plant Variety Protection Indonesia
Short-Term Technical Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
December
In-country Training Course on Plant Variety Protection and DUS Test in Viet Nam Viet Nam
The 3rd National Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Indonesia Indonesia
Awareness Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Viet Nam Viet Nam

2009

January
Long-Term Technical Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
Experts’ Conference on the Harmonizing Test Guidelines for Rice Plants Philippines
February
In-country Training Course on the Plant Variety Protection System in Thailand Thailand
China, Japan, Korea Meeting of the Experts for DNA Analysis in Beijing China
Experts’ Conference on the Creation of Test Guidelines for Aglaonema Thailand
March
Domestic Training Program on Plant Variety Protection System in Singapore Singapore
Domestic Training Program on the Plant Variety Protection System in Malaysia Malaysia
April
The 2nd Meeting of East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum China
May
Domestic Training for Developing TG in Indonesia Indonesia
Experts’ Conference on the Harmonizing Test Guidelines for Capsicum Indonesia
June
Indonesia-Netherlands Joint Seminar (agricultural crops division) Indonesia
Domestic Training on DUS testing for Plant Variety Protection in Indonesia Indonesia
August
The 2nd Workshop for Cooperation in Harmonization of Test Guidlines(TGs) and DUS Test Thailand
Basic Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
International Symposium : “The Impact of Plant Variety Protection” Republic of Korea
October
Short-Term Technical Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
November
Supplement Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
Awareness Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Malaysia Malaysia
The 1st In-country Training Program on DUS Test in Viet Nam Viet Nam
The 2nd In-country Training Program on DUS Test in Viet Nam Viet Nam
December
The 3rd In-country Training Program on DUS Test in Viet Nam Viet Nam

2010

February
Business Awareness Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Singapore Singapore
March
Training on the Administration of Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
Experts’ Conference on the Harmonizing Test Guidelines for Capsicum and Aglaonema Japan
Invitation of Forum Member’s to UPOV・DUS Test Seminar Switzerland
April
International Seminar on Protection of New Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights and Interests China
The 3rd Meeting of East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Republic of Korea
International seminar on “Use of Plant Variety Protection System by Public Sector” Republic of Korea
July
International Training Program on “Plant Variety Protection and Examination System” Republic of Korea
The 4th National Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Indonesia Indonesia
Experts’ Conference on the Harmonizing Test Guidelines for Durian, Papaya and Mokara Thailand
August
Experts’ Conference on the Harmonizing Test Guidelines for Capsicum and Aglaonema Malaysia
The 3rd Workshop for Cooperation in Harmonization of Test Guidlines(TGs) and DUS Test Malaysia
Basic Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
September
Awareness Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Thailand Thailand
November
Short-Term Technical Training on Plant Variety Protection in Japan Japan
In-country Training on DUS Testing for PVP Examinar in Indonesia Indonesia
In-country Training Course on DUS Test under Plant Variety Protection in Malaysia Malaysia
5th National Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Indonesia Indonesia

2011

January
Study Tour and Meeting regarding PVP System in Japan Japan
February
Rice Pilot Road Test Meeting Philippines
Cooperation for the Seminar on UPOV Basic Technical Skills and the Workshop on the Development of Test Guidelines Harmonized with UPOV Guidelines Philippines
March
Study Visit Program on PVP Administration in Japan Japan
Dispatch of the Experts for In-Country Training on the Development of Test Guidelines in China China
May
The 4th Meeting on Plant Variety Protection in Indonesia Indonesia
June
Workshop Concerning DUS Test and the Harmonization of Test Guidelines in Thailand Thaliand
September
ADVANCE TRAINING COURSE ON DUS GROWING TEST (1st session) Malaysia
Workshop Concerning Development of Test Guidelines in line with UPOV Test Guidelines in Thailand Thaliand
October
Release of “Variety Protection Registration ” symbol mark Korea
Training Course 1 in Japan: Short-term Technical Training Course for PVP Experts Japan
November
Support for the Participation of Observers from the East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Countries in the UPOV Technical Working Party in Japan Japan
December
Dispatch of Experts to the Workshop for the Development of Test Guidelines & DUS Assessment in China China

2012

January
Senior Officials Training in Japan Japan
February
The meeting on future aspects and activities of the Forum Thaliand
The Meeting for Harmonization of Test Guideline (TGs): Cassava Thaliand
THE MEETING FOR HARMONIZATION OF TECHNICAL GUIDELINES OF OIL PALM Malaysia
Awareness Raising Seminar on Plant Variety Protection in Cambodia Cambodia
Meeting for the harmonization of test guidelines in Indonesia Indonesia
March
Advanced Training Course on DUS Growing Test in Malaysia Malaysia
Meeting for the harmonization of test guidelines in Singapore Singapore
July
Training for Information Systems Related to the Plant Varieties Protection System Japan
September
Training in Photography for DUS Testing Thailand
October
EAPVPF High Level Tour Japan
Short-term Technical Training Course for PVP Experts Japan
December
The Meeting for Harmonization of Test Guideline (TGs): Oil Palm Malaysia

2013

February
The Meeting for Harmonization of Test Guideline (TGs): Durian and Papaya The Philippines
The Meeting for Harmonization of Test Guideline (TGs):Cassava Indonesia
The Meeting for Harmonization of Test Guideline (TGs): Mokara Thailand
July
The EAPVPF Technical Working Group Meeting Malaysia
The Sixth East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Meeting Malaysia
The Symposium on Plant Variety Protection: Regional Cooperation towards International Harmonization of Plant Variety Protection Malaysia

2014

August
The Seventh East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Meeting Lao PDR
Symposium on Plant Variety Protection : Plant Breeding and Protection of Breeders’ Right are Key to Agricultural Development Lao PDR
September
The Training Course for DUS Test of Rice Vietnam
November
The Meeting of Test Guidelines Harmonisation on Rambutan and Starfruit Malaysia

2015

February
The Meeting of TG Harmonization on Dendrobium Korea
September
The 8th East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Meeting Korea
Symposium on Plant Variety Protection Korea
The First Meeting of Test Guidelines Harmonization on Acacia Spp. Malaysia
October
Indonesian Delegates Visit Japan to Study DUS Test Japan
November
Study Visit on the Management of PVP System Thailand
Workshop on Plant Variety Protection: Setting up Example Variety for Rice Malaysia
Training Course for DUS Test of Tomato Vietnam
December
Introductory Workshop on the Benefits of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV Convention Brunei Darussalam
Workshop on Awareness of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV Convention Lao PDR
Workshop on Awareness of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV Convention Cambodia

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Useful Links

Plant Variety Protection Office at MAFF, Japan

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO)

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Asia & Pacifics Seed Association (APSA)

Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA)

The Center for Seeds and Seedlings (NCSS, NARO)

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Contact

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Plant Variety Protection Office

Intellectual Property Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau

Email : jpvp@maff.go.jp

East Asia Plant Variety Protection Forum Office
Japan Association for Techno-Innovation in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (JATAFF)

Email: st-pgr@jataff.or.jp