If you would like to see him, please send an email or call his mobile.

With Love received some television coverage as part of the BBC’s programmes about the Flower Show, so we are sure that this will boost demand for this excellent plant even further. This is an example of the sort of publicity that PFE can achieve for new plants - in this instance, we were able to use our good relationship with Downderry to invite them to include the plant in their exhibit. Simon expertly grew exhibition quality plants from young plants supplied by our Dutch licensee, Kwekerij van Heesbeen, and will also be offering the variety direct to his own customers at his nursery and by mail order.

We now have three licensees for With Love - Downderry, van Heesbeen and Farplants - and we have now begun to talk with more growers about this superb plant.

Meanwhile, we have also begun a dialogue with exhibitors with a view to seeing more product launches at future RHS events. Watch this space!

From a personal point of view, it was an affirming experience to be in a conference facility with more than sixty like-minded people, albeit I was the only member to attend from the UK (I’m grateful that English is the official language of CIOPORA!). It reinforced my long-held opinion that plant breeders are genuinely friendly people who are passionate about what they do. Even the lawyers aren’t too bad!

CIOPORA concentrates its efforts on the legal aspects of plant breeding, in particular Plant Variety Rights, Plant Patents and trademarks. There was a vigorous debate on the subject of Essentially Derived Varieties (which always sounds like a dense and unexciting subject but is certainly capable of arousing the passions in CIOPORA members!) and an extended discussion on anti-infringement actions taken by members jointly under the CIOPORA umbrella. In addition, there were interesting presentations on points of law, new genetic techniques and practices in the Plant Variety Rights industry.

Membership of CIOPORA should be an essential activity for anyone serious about breeding new plant varieties and commercially exploiting their work. Details of membership can be found at the CIOPORA website. Clients of PFE should also look out for a new opportunity coming soon to show your support for this organisation which works to protect the legitimate interests of breeders and licensees alike.

We would really appreciate it if you sponsor us for as much as you can afford. Every penny you give will go to the PDS (minus a tiny bit for credit card handling) and, if you are a UK taxpayer, a further 28% in Gift Aid.

You can give your money online (and it will be passed directly to the PDS) by visiting our page at the Just Giving website.

Thank you for your support - we really are grateful. And wish us good luck (and fine weather!) for the day!

We wish to thank all of our customers and friends for their support and look forward to working with you for the next five years and beyond!

The CIM is the leading international body for marketing and business development. Membership helps Graham to keep up to date with the latest marketing trends and techniques as well as providing opportunities for networking and business promotion.

Of course, anyone who is not a resident of the EU is still required to appoint a procedural representative to file applications on their behalf. Plants for Europe can assist in this regard, whether or not we are asked to act as agent for the purposes of licensing or royalty collection. Contact us for details and fees.

Details of the regulations that apply can be found on the CPVO’s website here.

• IPM, Essen, Germany - Thursday 24th and Friday 25th January
• GAN, Bournemouth, UK - Wednesday 13th February
• Salon du Végétal, Angers, France - Thursday 21st February

We would like to wish all our customers and friends a very merry Christmas and extend our best wishes for a prosperous 2008!