Most-Effective Monitoring Program finds more illegal propagation

Tens of thousands of calibrachoa cuttings, that were propagated without permission, were discovered earlier this year by COPF in Canada. Millions of cuttings were monitored through the Most-Effective Monitoring Program from fall 2009 to spring 2010 with hundreds of growers visited. 10% of Canadian growers who were visited were fined for illegal propagation. Illegal cuttings were found in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
Started by COPF in 2007, the Most-Effective Monitoring Program inspects growers within a specific time frame based on their shipping date and plant format. Flower varieties from 34 breeders worldwide are monitored through the program.
COPF president Philip Thompson said the program allows monitoring of nearly every cutting shipped into Canada. More growers were found with illegal cuttings in spring 2010 than in 2009. He said the goal of the program is “to ensure a level playing field” and that it will allow the industry to “develop strong and equitable market prices”.