Einbeck, Germany, 7 September 2026 – The Board of the Agricultural Crops Licensing Platform (ACLP) met at the headquarters of KWS in Einbeck to discuss the platform’s future direction and key developments affecting intellectual property licensing in plant breeding.
A major milestone of the meeting was the approval of the ACLP Strategic Roadmap 2026-2028, which will guide the continued development of the licensing platform over the coming years. The Board also took several important decisions aimed at supporting the platform’s future growth and effectiveness in facilitating access to patented innovation in plant breeding.
Focus on the Future NGT Code of Conduct
The Board dedicated considerable attention to the implementation of the European Union’s new Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), particularly the forthcoming Code of Conduct that patent holders and licensing platforms are expected to sign.
Commenting on these developments, ACLP Managing Director Hélène Guillot highlighted the increasing importance of industry engagement:
“The continuous support from members to ACLP is critical to fulfil the mission of the licensing platform, and even more in these times where the European Commission is expecting a high level of engagement towards licensing principles.”
Board Welcomes New Members and Leadership Changes
The meeting also marked several important changes within the ACLP Board.
The Board welcomed Robert Graveland, Head of R&D at HZPC, who joins ACLP and succeeds Gerard Backx as Board member. Gerard Backx will remain closely involved with the platform in a new role as Senior Adviser.
Welcoming Robert, Hélène Guillot noted the value of his extensive experience in potato breeding and innovation:
“I am sure that your long R&D experience in potato breeding at HZPC will be very precious in bringing a practical perspective to our discussions.”
The Board also approved the appointment of Justus Böhm, General Manager, EUROPLANT Innovation GmbH & Co. KG as the new Vice Chair of ACLP, succeeding Gerard Backx in this role.
“I would like to thank Justus who has agreed to step into Gerard’s role as Vice Chair of ACLP. I am looking forward to working with you on the success of the ACLP in the coming years,” said Hélène Guillot.
Thanking Andreas Popp for His Contribution
The meeting provided an opportunity to recognise the significant contribution of Andreas Popp, who will retire at the end of the year after playing a key role in the establishment and development of ACLP.
Reflecting on his involvement since the platform’s foundation, Hélène Guillot expressed the Board’s appreciation:
“The contribution of Andreas to the successful establishment of ACLP is undeniable. He has always brought an open and practical mindset and a very sharp legal eye that has helped us in the most difficult situations. Thank you Andreas, and we are looking forward to welcoming your successor, Thorsten Berg, as of January 2027.”
As ACLP enters its next phase of development, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating access to innovation, supporting transparent licensing practices, and contributing constructively to the evolving European framework for plant breeding innovation.
