European Patent Office: Scandalous patent granted on tomatoes
Monopoly on breeding with resistance genes found in wild tomatoes
29 September 2025 / Patent EP3911147 held by the Dutch company, Enza Zaden, claims genes conferring resistance to the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV). This virus poses a major threat to tomato cultivation. The claimed genes were discovered in a wild tomato species (Solanum habrochaites) that originates from Peru and Ecuador, and is considered one of the most important resources for genetic diversity in tomato breeding. The patent was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) in July 2025.
