© pipicato/Adobe Stock HFFA Research GmbH contributed to the first comprehensive analysis of how the Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR) system supports sustainability, productivity, and economic resilience in the European Union, in collaboration with EUIPO and the CPVO.
As the EU pursues ambitious goals under the European Green Deal, agriculture is under pressure to cut emissions, reduce chemical inputs, and maintain high productivity—all amid growing concerns over food security and geopolitical instability. Crop innovation is essential to meet these demands, and the Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR) system plays a pivotal role in incentivizing such innovation. However, until recently, its economic and environmental contributions had not been fully quantified.
Commissioned by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), HFFA Research GmbH led key components of a joint impact study with the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO). The HFFA Research team developed the methodological framework, reviewed relevant literature, and conducted a detailed quantitative analysis of impacts on farmers and growers. Their findings informed the publication “Impact of the Community Plant Variety Rights System on the EU Economy and the Environment”, released in April 2022.
The study demonstrated the CPVR system’s significant benefits:
Without CPVR-protected varieties, EU production in 2020 would have been lower by 6.4% (arable crops), 4.7% (vegetables), 2.6% (fruit), and 15.1% (ornamentals).
Annual GHG emissions were reduced by an estimated 62 million tons—comparable to the national emissions of countries like Hungary or Ireland.
The system supports nearly 90,000 additional jobs across agriculture and horticulture.
Over 90% of CPVR holders are SMEs, underscoring its importance for innovation among smaller breeders.
The study was launched at a CPVO-hosted policy seminar during France’s EU Council Presidency, drawing wide participation from policymakers, academia, and the breeding sector. The recordings are available on the CPVO YouTube Channel.
Legal notification: Kindly note that the opinions expressed hereby are those of HFFA Research GmbH only and do not necessarily represent the EUIPO’s or CPVO’s official position.
