19/11/2020 – Advanced Introduction to NBT and other Molecular Breeding Technologies Leading to Potential EDVs

The CIOPORA Breeding Academy is a new education program designed specifically for plant breeders and R&D departments of the commercial breeding companies. It provides advanced training in the latest breeding technologies, including New Breeding Techniques (NBT), and the related regulatory aspects.

Webinar 3:

Part 1 by Dr. Ellen de Keyser: Mutagenesis or genome doubling are still most mentioned as EDV-inducing technologies. However, nowadays new technologies are arising that can induce mutations with surgical precision, the “New Breeding Techniques” (NBTs). But how do NBTs differ from the commonly used mutation breeding?

In Europe, NBT-derived plants are to be considered GMOs, hence also the differences with the current GM technologies will be outlined in the course of the webinar. However, also other, less known molecular breeding techniques are available to create an interesting new diversity of genotypes avoiding hurdle of the GM regulation.

In this webinar, a clear technical explanation will be given on both NBTs sensu stricto and the other new promising technologies that can create additional value for breeding companies while creating variation using molecular tools. It will also be briefly explained why these techniques may lead to creation of an EDV.

Part 2 by Dr. Edgar Krieger: The concept of Essentially Derived Variety (EDV) is one of the cornerstones of the UPOV 1991 Act, implemented to strengthen the right of original breeders. Based on the text of the UPOV 1991 Act, its Explanatory Notes on EDV, and PBR laws of selected UPOV members, the webinar will provide an overview of the basics of the EDV concept and will explain the requirements for a variety to be declared an EDV as well as the legal consequences of a variety being an EDV. A special reference will be made to EDV resulting from the use of New Breeding Techniques (NBT).