Sugarcane Variety Protection Could Extend to 25 Years, But Legislative Progress Remains Slow

Brazil's bioenergy and sugar sector has recently reiterated a long-standing request. During an event on March 11th in Ribeirão Preto, Mário Campos Filho, president of the Minas Gerais Bioenergy and Sugar Industry Association (Siamig Bioenergia), used his platform to urge authorities to advance the bill amending the Plant Variety Protection Law. He emphasized, "The sugarcane sector desperately needs this law to ensure a longer protection period for new varieties; this will enable researchers to develop new materials and allow us to compete effectively in the coming years." He further appealed, "I call upon everyone for a coordinated effort to get this done this year." This plea was heard by Federal Deputy Arnaldo Jardim, current vice-president of the Parliamentary Agricultural Front (FPA). Jardim pledged, "We will dedicate ourselves fully to ensure the approval of the Plant Variety Protection Law. Mário, count on us." Bill No. 1.702/19, introduced in 2019 by Deputy Giovano Cherini, proposes changes to the Plant Variety Protection Law, which was sanctioned two years prior. Although the bill has progressed slowly through the Chamber of Deputies over the years, it regained parliamentary attention towards the end of 2024. Among the key changes affecting the bioenergy and sugar sector is the extension of the protection period for sugarcane varieties.