According to Schreijer-Pierik, the biggest problem created by the patenting of plant characteristics is that further innovation is blocked in the breeding sector. The member of the European parlement said that this stops the development of new plant varieties. "After all, the holder of a patent has the exclusive right to a certain plant characteristic, so other breeders cannot use that property without permission and financial compensation. This is a serious matter because by doing so, big companies are now pushing small businesses out of the market."
Annie Schreijer-Pierik, Member of the European Parliament: