W.P. article : Bill C-18 will take from farmers pockets

[wmoebis]

If UPOV91 is such a great thing why didn't Brian Mulroney make it law when he agreed to it 25 yrs ago? Seems like it is likely out dated by now, a lot has changed in both farming and science of seed breeding.

[Hopalong]

Recall some pretty socialist type thinking from some public funded plant breeders in past. Some said they had difficulty working with private enterprise partnership.
Think that has changed and most now support bill C18 and UPOV 91. See continuing change coming and even producer check off funding losing ground to corporate and investor funds.
Better for growers to accept and work with change rather than just resist it.

[CptnObvious]

Gust:UPOV '91 in Europe has resulted in much development but also in crippling seed costs. Fortunately the farm subsidies are also very high there so that the farmers may act as a funnel for the seed patenters to hoover up all that government money.
Most breeders in the grain industry are not desperate to get in to UPOV '91, they have more than enough access to genetic material now( the next big breakthrough in FHB resistance looks to be coming from Chinese wheat).
If you want to meet a breeder not hugely in favour of C-18 try Ron DePau. He is retiring soon and isn't scared of pissing off funders.