News

The 57th session of the Technical Working Party for Ornamental Plants and Forest Trees (TWO) took place in Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands, from March 31 to April 3, 2025. Participants from different countries and organizations gathered to discuss important issues related to the protection of plant variety rights.

The main issues discussed during the session were:

· DUS testing procedures: Participants reviewed various aspects of distinctiveness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing, including a review of the relevant documents (TWP/9/1).

· Molecular techniques: Considerable attention was paid to the use of molecular techniques in DUS testing. The possibilities of using molecular data to support testing were discussed, as well as the development of guidelines for the validation of molecular marker protocols. Participants emphasized the importance of sharing DNA information for international cooperation in variety testing. The issues of confidentiality and the possibility of joint development of molecular markers that do not reveal the breeding strategies of individual breeders were discussed.

· Information databases: TWO considered issues related to information databases, including cooperation agreements for DUS examination and the use of botanical names (document TWP/9/2, TWO/57/8).

 Test Guidelines: Participants discussed measures to improve support for drafters of Test Guidelines and reviewed draft TG: Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) (document TG/GINKG_BIL(proj.2)); Helleborus (Helleborus L.); Lotus (Nelumbo Adans.) (document TG/NELUM(proj.2)); Magnolia (Magnolia L.) (document TG/MAGNO(proj.5)); Pot Azalea (Rhododendron simsii Planch.) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron L.) (documents TG/42/6 and TG/140/4 Corr); Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia Spreng.) (document TG/177/4(proj.1); Aloe (Aloe L.) (document TG/310/1); Carnation (Dianthus L.) (document TG/25/9)

· Other issues: The participants exchanged information on the development of plant variety protection in their countries and familiarized themselves with the activities of UPOV. Also, TWO agreed to propose TC that it recommend to the Council to elect next chairperson of the TWO. Also TWO agreed date and future program of the next session.

As part of the session, participants visited the Dutch Flower Bulb Inspection Service (BKD) and the Royal General Bulb Growers Association (KAVB), where they were informed about their work and achievements in the field of bulb cultivation.

Participants from UIPVE (by electronic means): Svitlana HRYNIV, Nataliya KOSTENKO, Nadiia LYNCHAK, Valentyna MATUS, Maryna TAGANTSOVA, Svitlana VASKIVSKA, Svaitlana LIKAR.

The 57th TWO session has become an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between experts from different countries. The decisions and conclusions adopted at the session will contribute to the further development of plant variety rights protection.