Intellectual property rights are the cornerstone to innovation. They are necessary to reward innovation and ensure all researchers, public and private, benefit from their creations. This is key to encouraging investment in new technologies. Biotechnology companies often reinvest their profits in order to continue their research and development into new products that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.

The private sector is a major contributor to agricultural research and development, bringing innovative new plant varieties to farmers around the world. In 2008, the 15 leading companies in plant science spent $2.4 billion on seed traits R&D. CropLife International supports policies that promote continued investment and innovation in agriculture, including protection of intellectual property rights through data protection and patents. These also provide incentives for companies to adapt products to developing country needs.