§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the benefits to developing countries of including plant and genetic resources in the Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. [HL2780]
202WA
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe TRIPS Agreement requires World Trade Organisation members to make patents available for new inventions in all fields of technology. However, it allows members to exclude plants and animals from patenting, although new plant varieties must be protected.
Without the protection that patents and other intellectual property rights offer, companies may not invest in the development of products, such as disease or drought resistant crops, which could be of benefit in poorer countries. TRIPS-compliant intellectual property systems in developing countries will encourage western companies to share their technologies there and to undertake research and development into products with specific benefits for such countries.