An assessment of the implementation of the EU policy for conservation varieties from 2009 to 2023 and its relationship to Geographical Indications

Although the EU policy for conservation varieties has a history of more than a decade, there is little relevant academic literature. Geographical Indications (GIs) have an important role to play in preserving plant varieties. This paper assesses the implementation of the EU policy for conservation varieties from 2009 to 2023 and examines the relationship between conservation varieties and GIs. Data from the Common Catalogue of Varieties and the e-ambrosia database are used. According to the findings of the study, although the number of conservation varieties keeps increasing, it remains marginal when compared to the total number of varieties found in the Common Catalogue of Varieties. Different types of maintainers exist while the registration fee and the interpretation of the notion of region of origin differ among EU Member States. As far as GIs are concerned, few use conservation varieties as enforceable rules. However, as both GIs and conservation varieties increase in numbers their relationship will strengthen.