Intellectual property rights protecting plant varieties are relevant regarding farmers' rights to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seeds. Norway became a member of UPOV in 1993, based on the 1978 Act of the UPOV Convention. Even though the 1991 Act was adopted by many other countries at that time, Norway chose to adhere to the 1978 Act. In 2004, the government proposed changes to the Plant Breeders' Rights Act and to join the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention. However, this proposal spurred public debate. After the election in 2005, the new government withdrew the proposed changes in the PVP legislation on the grounds that they limited Farmers' Rights. At the same time, the breeding industry was promised to receive stronger government support for the development of varieties that are suitable to Norwegian conditions and adapted to climate change. Based on this agreement, farmers in Norway could continue to save and use farm-saved seed and propagating material of protected varieties without paying any remuneration to the holder of the plant variety protection right.