Japan looks to protect intellectual property rights for fruits, vegetables abroad

Benihoppe strawberries

The government is preparing to increase protection for the intellectual property rights abroad regarding fruits and vegetables developed in Japan, after it was found that seeds and seedlings have been exported illegally and produced without authorization.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry plans to help domestic seed and seedling growers register in other countries and regions the varieties they develop.

Benihoppe strawberries developed by Shizuoka Prefecture and Shine Muscat grapes developed by a Japanese research institute had been grown and sold in China without the developers’ permission.

“We are concerned that the grape produced in our prefecture and unauthorized products could compete against each other in export markets,” a Shizuoka Prefectural Government official said.

Japanese-developed fruits and vegetables are known for their high quality and brand power, and therefore are important for achieving the government’s goal of raising annual exports of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products and food items to ¥1 trillion.

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/22/national/japan-looks-protect-intellectual-property-rights-fruits-vegetables-abroad/