Parliament reiterated its call for barrier-free access to plant breeding material. Members want to ensure that farmers across the EU can innovate in order to find solutions to the climate crisis and new plant diseases. Rich multinationals should not be allowed to patent natural life, creating monopolies and driving up food prices.

EU politics

consumer protection

food safety

health (2841)

Environment

No patents on naturally-obtained plants and seeds

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/9538164/N01-PUB-190923-PLATE-EN.srt

 granted a patent for a new variety of tomato that is ideal for making ketchup.

It was obtained using only biological processes 

The patent got instant backlash, with campaigners accusing the EPO of patenting life.

The organisation then amended its policy 

– but the case went to the EPO's board of appeal.

The European Parliament is fighting to make sure

that products obtained from biological processes aren't patentable.

We feel that barrier-free access to plant material is essential for the innovative capacity

 of the European plant-breeding sector and for farmers,

 as well as for the genetic variety of our crops.

MEPs want farmers all across the European Union to be able to innovate,

 particularly in the face of the climate crisis.

Breeding new types of plant promotes genetic diversity.

Every year there are evolving new plant diseases and plagues,

 and we need the development of new food crops

 that are resilient to those plant diseases and plagues.

If we allow patents, that will hamper that innovation and that development.

I think that's very risky for the whole world's food supply.

MEPs argue that small-scale producers are likely to be hardest-hit by these patents.

The Parliament also says that allowing companies to have patents on certain food varieties

 creates a monopoly, which in turn could raise food prices across the EU.