Plant variety databases
Official French Catalogue of plant species and varieties
The Official French Catalogue (national list) of species and varieties of cultivated crops was created in 1932. Updated regularly, it contains all the plants that have been registered by decree (as published in the government’s official gazette). It comprises more than 9,000 varieties.
The catalogue is managed by the French Technical Plant Breeding Committee (CTPS), which is a consultative committee under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. The CTPS studies issues related to plant selection and seed production and then uses its findings to provide recommendations on the varieties to include in the national catalogue.
Before varieties of a catalogue-listed species can be registered and thus sold, they must go through a series of agronomical, technical and environmental tests. These tests are carried out by the Variety and Seed Study and Control French Group (French acronym: GEVES).
European Catalogue of Plant Varieties
There is a set of European catalogues for cash crop, vegetable, and fruit varieties. It is compiled from the national catalogues of the different member states. Consequently, it includes all the varieties authorised for commercial sale across the whole of the EU.
The EU catalogues comprise more than 23,000 varieties of agricultural species and more than 21,000 varieties of vegetable species. They can be viewed on the European Commission’s website.
Key figures...
varieties registered in the Official French Catalogue
varieties of agricultural species listed in the European Catalogue
varieties of vegetable species listed in the European Catalogue
varieties of fruit species listed in the European Catalogue
CPVO database
The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) manages the EU’s system for protecting plant variety rights. Its powers extend across the 28 member states.
Access to the CPVO database, also referred to as the CPVO variety finder, is restricted. Potential users must register for an online account to obtain a username and password.
UPOV database
UPOV stands for the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Seventy-five countries are members, including France. The organisation’s aim is to promote and establish an efficient system for protecting plant variety rights so as to encourage its use, which is in the general interest.
UPOV’s database is called PLUTO, and it contains information on the plant breeders’ rights associated with each variety. This information is provided by UPOV’s member countries. Access is restricted. Potential users must register for an online account to obtain a username and password.
OECD database
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has built a database for its list of certified plants. On this official list are varieties that have been certified as complying with the OECD seed schemes by national designated authorities in OECD member countries (of which there are 58).
The database contains 49,000 varieties belonging to 200 species. Information on the plant breeder and country of production is provided for each variety.
Header photo : © SEMAE / Paul Dutronc