الجمعية المصرية لصناعة التقاوي (ESIA) ومكتب مكافحة التعدّي على حقوق الملكية الفكرية للأصناف النباتية (AIB) يوقعان مذكرة تفاهم لتعزيز حماية قطاع التقاوي في مصر

Memorandum of Understanding between the Egyptian Seed Industry Association (ESIA) and the Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material (AIB) to Strengthen Cooperation and Support the Protection of the Seed Sector in Egypt

In a step reflecting the commitment of both parties to strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors and supporting the development of Egypt’s seed sector, the Egyptian Seed Industry Association (ESIA) and the Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material (AIB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for joint cooperation to support the protection of intellectual property rights relating to plant varieties, promote compliance with the relevant legislation, and support efforts to combat illegal practices within the seed sector in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The MoU builds on the existing cooperation between the two organizations, which reached an important milestone during the joint conference organized by ESIA and AIB in Cairo in April 2026. The conference brought together representatives from government authorities and the private sector to discuss the main challenges facing the seed sector, opportunities to strengthen cooperation among the relevant stakeholders, support the protection of plant varieties, and improve compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

The Memorandum of Understanding reflects the commitment of both parties to strengthening cooperation, exchanging expertise, and implementing practical initiatives across a number of areas of mutual interest, thereby supporting innovation, encouraging investment, promoting fair competition, and strengthening confidence in the seed sector, in a manner that contributes to agricultural development and food security.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties will cooperate in a number of priority areas, including:

• Supporting compliance with seed legislation and plant variety protection.

• Strengthening cooperation and dialogue with the relevant government authorities, including regulatory authorities, intellectual property offices, and plant health authorities.

• Supporting efforts to detect and combat illegal practices.

• Exchanging non-confidential information related to illegal practices and exploring mechanisms that support inspection and enforcement activities in accordance with the applicable legislation.

• Encouraging the development of technical solutions, including DNA analysis technologies, traceability systems, and databases of registered plant varieties.

• Organizing workshops, training programmes, awareness-raising activities, and capacity-building initiatives for government officials, private sector representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Establishing specialized working groups to address priority topics and develop and implement practical initiatives of mutual interest.

The Memorandum of Understanding also provides for the establishment of specialized working groups to be formed according to agreed priorities. These groups will examine technical topics of mutual interest, develop and follow up on work plans, and, where appropriate, involve government authorities and other stakeholders depending on the nature of each topic, thereby strengthening coordination and cooperation among all parties.

About the Egyptian Seed Industry Association (ESIA)

The Egyptian Seed Industry Association (ESIA) is a non-governmental association representing the biggest producers & importers in the seed sector in Egypt. It aims to support the development of the industry and strengthen cooperation among seed companies, government authorities, and research institutions, thereby contributing to the advancement of the seed sector and supporting agricultural development.

About the Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material (AIB)

The Anti-Infringement Bureau for Intellectual Property Rights on Plant Material (AIB) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the protection of intellectual property rights relating to plant varieties, promoting compliance with the relevant legislation, and providing technical expertise to combat illegal practices, in cooperation with government authorities and stakeholders across different countries.