Breeders Trust S.A. is an organisation of five seedpotato companies from Germany and the Netherlands. It concerns Europlant, Solana, Agrico, HZPC and C. Meijer B.V. These companies are active in developing new potato varieties for, among others, the European market. Breeders Trust has started in 2008. Meanwhile, other potato breeders have expressed their interest to join the organisation to reach a basis as broad as possible.

Worldwide, copying of protected products is an increasing problem. Also in the potato chain this takes place. The participating companies noticed that they do miss a part of their income in Europe because license fees are not always paid and by unlawful trade in protected varieties. To develop a new potato variety takes 10 years at minimum and costs at least € 3 million. The result is a new variety that has an added value in yield, health or quality. When a new variety is taken on the list of protected varieties there is a 30 years´ period of Plant Breeders Rights protection applicable and the owner has the right to ask for a license fee. Through this system the breeders can continue to develop new varieties.