The Proposed Law Amendment to: The Law on Seed Management and Plant Breeder’s Right 

On 10 February 2025, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (“MISTI”) with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (“MAFF”) conducted a workshop on the proposed amendment of the Law on Seed Management and Plant Breeder’s Right in Accordance with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (“UPOV”) Convention and the Benefits of UPOV Membership for National Development Goals. 

What’s New & Updated 

The proposed law amendment to the law on seed management and plant breeder’s right:

• Announcement: on the proposed amendment to the Law on Seed Management and Plant Breeder’s Right through a workshop with officials from UPOV, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, as well as national and international specialists from MISTI and MAFF and relevant stakeholders.  
• Protection: The amendment seeks to bring Cambodia’s legal system into compliance with the UPOV convention and improve the protection of novel plant varieties in accordance with international norms. 
• Enforcement: During the workshop, the proposed amendment is divided into the following five phases: 
  • Legal Review and Gap Analysis;
  • Drafting Amendment;
  • Stakeholders Consultation;
  • Government Approval Process; and
  • Implementation and UPOV Membership.  

• Benefit of UPOV membership: UPOV officials also highlighted about the benefit of joining UPOV which enable a nation to become part of an international system that uses intellectual property rights to safeguard novel plant varieties. Innovation, agricultural variety, and the production of higher quality crops are all supported by this system. By promoting trade improvement, sustainability, economic growth, and food security, it also advances the national development goals.  
• Date of the workshop: 10 February 2025. 

For Intellectual Property inquiries or any other legal matters in general, please feel free to contact Khieu Mealy, Chhim Leakena, Kong Vinary or Ly Vannlyda at SOK SIPHANA & ASSOCIATES.   

This alert is for general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice.