The activity will serve as the prelude to a new version of CIOPORA Academy Madrid, thereby generating a series of activities for plant breeders prior to Fruit Attraction, one of the sector’s main trade fairs.
CIOPORA, the global association for breeders of asexually reproduced horticultural plants, will hold its Midterm Meeting in Madrid from September 25– 26, 2025, bringing together members, experts, and stakeholders for two days of intellectual exchange, strategic discussion, and industry networking.
The meeting is set just ahead of Fruit Attraction 2025, one of the leading international trade events for the fruit and vegetable sector. This timing offers participants a unique opportunity to align strategic discussions on plant variety protection (PVP) with the broader commercial pulse of the global horticulture industry.
September 25: A Day for CIOPORA Members
The first day of the Midterm Meeting will focus on internal discussions among CIOPORA members, featuring sessions on evolving legal challenges, tools for plant breeders, and region- specific developments such as the situation in India. The program will include contributions from legal experts and industry leaders, as well as time for networking and exchange.
Topics include:
- The Private & Non-Commercial Use Exception
- IP & Non-IP Tools for Breeders
- Campaigning for IP Awareness
- Developments in CPVR Evaluation
- Strategic Focus: India
The evening will conclude with the traditional CIOPORA Dinner, open to both members and invited guests.
September 26: Public IP Conference
The second day will open to members and invited guests for a full-day IP Public Conference under the theme: “Shaping the Future of IP for Plant Breeders: From Challenges Towards Opportunities.” The agenda includes high-level keynotes and five expert-led panel debates covering critical topics such as:
- Crisis of PBRs, experiences from an ornamental breeder
- The future of UPOV
- The next 10 years of the Horticultural Industry
- NGTs and the Future of Plant Breeding
- Beyond PBR: Learnings from other IPRs
Networking sessions throughout the day will provide ample opportunities for participants to connect, collaborate, and engage in informal discussion.
Looking Ahead: CIOPORA Academy Madrid
Following the Midterm Meeting, CIOPORA will host a new edition of the CIOPORA Academy Workshop Madrid on September 29, 2025. This full-day training event will provide plant breeders, IP professionals, and industry stakeholders with in-depth knowledge on the legal and practical aspects of plant variety protection (PVP) and related intellectual property rights.
The Madrid workshop will feature sessions led by international legal and industry experts, offering both theoretical foundations and practical case studies. Topics will range from the latest developments in the EU and international PVP systems, to enforcement strategies, licensing models, and the interface of PVP with new breeding technologies (NBTs). Designed as an interactive program, the workshop will also include opportunities for discussion and exchange, allowing participants to address real challenges faced in their daily work.
CIOPORA invites all members and partners to join us in Madrid for this timely gathering. For meeting inquiries or to schedule an appointment with the CIOPORA team during Fruit Attraction, please contact them at info@ciopora.org or visit their website at www.ciopora.org.
