60th session of the UPOV Technical Working Party on Vegetable Species (TWV60)
From 18 to 21 May 2026, UPOV organised its working week dedicated to vegetable crops. This TWV (Technical Working Party for Vegetable Species) took place on the west coast of the United States (Pacific Grove, CA) and brought together around 20 people in person, whilst around 50 others attended via videoconference.
Discussions centred on issues relating to plant variety protection, the drafting or revision of technical guidelines for seven species, and general texts concerning plant breeders’ rights and DUS testing methodologies.
The experts in attendance took part in two technical visits in the Salinas Valley: to the Seminis research station and a meeting with two breeders from 3 Star Lettuce.
During this session, the complete revisions of the technical guidelines for Asparagus, Ginger and Parsley, and the partial revision of the guidelines for Cucumbers/Pickles (resistance to CGMMV), were finalised. These guidelines will be presented to the next UPOV Technical Committee for approval, with operational implementation expected in late spring 2027.
Discussions on the technical guidelines covering Garlic – led by GEVES – and Courgette, as well as the partial revisions to Tomato rootstocks and Tomatoes (update on disease resistance), will continue at TWV2027. On this occasion, the agenda will include the comprehensive revision of the guiding principle for Curly endive and escarole – initiated by GEVES – the creation of a guiding principle for Enokitake, an edible mushroom (Flammulina velutipes (Er.) Sing.), as well as partial revisions of disease resistance characteristics for melon and Spinach.
In addition to reviewing general documents (UPOV’s activities and news, international cooperation, etc.), more technical presentations were given. Among these was a presentation by Naktuinbouw and GEVES, in which they jointly outlined their expectations regarding future developments in the area of varietal resistance characteristics. In addition, the CPVO provided an overview of the topics currently being addressed on a voluntary and cooperative basis at EU level by the various Examination Offices concerning certain species/pest pairs.
The visit to the Seminis research station in San Juan Bautista provided an opportunity to exchange views with Lettuce, Broccoli and Onion breeders, Bayer’s Plant Variety Protection managers, the site manager, a phenotyping trial manager and those responsible for managing the seed collections. The meeting with two Lettuce breeders from 3 Star Lettuce, working in both organic and conventional farming, highlighted their interest in plant breeders’ rights protection, as well as their geographical priorities regarding genetic resistance to diseases, whether assessed through biotests or molecular marking.
This TWV also marked the end of the group chairmanship held by our Japanese colleague, Mr Yoshiyuki OHNO, with our Franco-Dutch colleague, Ms Cécile MARCHENAY, announced as his successor in this role for the next three years.
