Thai Ministry of Agriculture Clarifies Stance on UPOV and Plant Variety Protection

The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has officially addressed public concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Plant Variety Protection Act and the potential adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).

According to Kris Uttamavetin, Deputy Permanent Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry, the UPOV issue has emerged within the framework of the ongoing Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. While the Ministry acknowledges the necessity of international intellectual property standards to facilitate global trade and prevent exploitation, it has explicitly stated that it will not support UPOV if the terms are found to disadvantage Thai farmers.

For residents and those involved in the agricultural sector, this development highlights the government's cautious approach to international trade obligations that could impact seed sovereignty and farming practices. The Ministry emphasized that the negotiation process is still in its early stages and remains subject to extensive review.

As of now, the Ministry has not committed to joining UPOV, maintaining that any final decision will prioritize the welfare of local cultivators. Further details regarding the specific protections for farmers and the timeline for the FTA negotiations remain to be confirmed as discussions with European partners continue.