In the end of November the Dutch customs authorities confiscated 20 000 cut roses at the Schiphol Airport. The action was organized after the special alert from the company Kordes from Sparrieshoop, near Humburg, the biggest European rose breeder. The confiscated roses were from the varieties “Pascha” and “Duet”. They were produced by an Ethiopian grower who had intended to sell them illegally in the European Union.
Through this action Kordes succeeded in protecting their intellectual property rights over the protected varieties of plants. At the same time it focused the public attention on the illegal import of flowers. If the illegal import is allowed in EU flower market it can cause unfair competition.
CIOPORA has warned that it can be expected that millions of illegally produced flowers shall be sold in the different countries of the EU during the forthcoming high-price winter months.
