Fertile ground for the first IGC controversy

Date: 05/10/1995

Entre Nous can reveal that the IGC is already underway.

Its members are in almost constant session, agonising over the siting of the European Institute for Plant Variety Rights.

The Intergovernmental Conference began its work last year on the sidelines of meetings of agriculture ministers, but has yet to reach agreement.

There are eight candidates, the most recent being Austria which wants the office to be sited in Vienna.

The UK insists that Trumpington, near Cambridge, is the only appropriate spot, right next door to an existing plant breeders' institute.

What will the institute do once its seat has been determined? Don't ask such difficult questions!