Plant Variety Registration in Transition: Opportunities for Innovation and Reform in The European Union

Summary Modernising the European Union’s plant variety registration system is critical to enabling the development and adoption of sustainable, climate‐resilient varieties aligned with the EU Farm‐to‐Fork Strategy. However, the current system is outdated and under increasing pressure. While legislative reform is underway, key points of divergence among stakeholders remain unresolved. This article draws on evidence from a Pan‐European study exploring stakeholder perspectives to identify core challenges and strategic opportunities for reform. Findings reveal broad consensus on the need for modernisation, particularly the integration of new tools, sustainability criteria in variety testing, and harmonisation across Member States. However, practical adoption relies on addressing areas of contention, ensuring adequate investment in infrastructure and capacity and adopting inclusive, participatory approaches. To be viable and scalable, innovations must be designed for a broad user base, delivering value across the seed system. Strengthening collaborative platforms and embedding continuous dialogue will be vital to build trust and ensure regulatory changes are practical and widely adopted. By embracing innovation and reinforcing stakeholder collaboration, the EU has a unique opportunity to transform its variety registration system into a catalyst for sustainable agricultural growth and long‐term resilience.