Morocco joins UPOV

Morocco has become the 62nd member of UPOV. Morocco already has a cut flower industry that takes advantage of the local climate to produce low-cost cut flowers, of which around 90% are exported to the EU. This exported production would be protected by EU PVR, but new domestic breeders’ rights legislation will afford protection to breeders for the 10% of production that is sold to the domestic market.

PFE does not consider Morocco to be a significant market for garden ornamentals at present. However, it may be that European growers establish offshore propagation facilities there in future to take advantage of good transport links with Europe and low labour costs. PFE will continue to monitor the situation.