MEP Spotlight | Q2: The role of post-patent agricultural products in delivering the European Green Deal

We continue our Q&A series with MEPs Paolo De Castro and Herbert Dorfmann on the European Parliament’s work on agricultural issues, the European Green Deal, and the post-patent plant protection industry.   

With a focus on the entry of post-patent products into the market, we asked the MEPS’ about their views on the balance evolving in light of the demand for innovation in agriculture to achieve the goals of the Green Deal and the need to defend farmers’ profitability in today challenging times.

One of the hot topics in the political debate is patents in agriculture: while intellectual property serves as an incentive for innovation, the entry of post-patent products into the market is an important factor in promoting competition and defending farmers’ profitability. How do you see this delicate balance evolving in light of the demand for innovation in agriculture to achieve the goals of the Green Deal and the need to defend farmers’ profitability in challenging times like the present? 

MEP De Castro: 

Innovation will be our strongest ally in the transition toward more sustainable agricultural systems, and we must do everything in order to promote it. With regard to this, an effective and flexible system of patentability is needed, in particular in the agrochemical world, with the goal of contributing to innovation and, at the same time, defending consumers and the profitability of the supply chain by leveraging competition. 

MEP Dorfmann: 

As far as new plant varieties are concerned, I am absolutely in favour of the current situation. The result of genetic improvement must remain available to all those who wish to use it. 

In other areas, such as pesticides, a balance is needed: whoever develops a new molecule needs intellectual property protection, because research in this area must remain profitable. The right balance must therefore be struck between intellectual property protection and free market competition. 

For journalists wishing to use the MEPs’ quotes or other materials from this post, we kindly ask for you to reference the European Crop Care Association (ECCA) as the source.