Many countries are developing and implementing a legal framework for protecting plant varieties in an intellectual property rights system. The agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) under the World Trade Organisation gave an impetus to this development.

This course aims at facilitating the introduction of plant variety protection in countries where legislation on this matter is being developed, or has recently been passed. It will enhance the participants’ capabilities in practical implementation of legal framework on plant variety protection.

Subjects in the course are:
(i)   legal, institutional and technical aspects of plant variety protection
(ii)  implementation
(iii) extension and promotion.

There will also be visits to key organisations in the operation of a plant variety system.