European Parliament Approves New Rules for Genomic Techniques in Agriculture

The European Parliament has officially adopted new rules to facilitate the use of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in agriculture, a move aimed at enhancing crop resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness. Under this new framework, NGT-developed plants will be categorized based on the complexity of their genetic modifications. NGT-1 plants with changes achievable through conventional breeding will be treated similarly to conventional crops. NGT-2 plants, which involve more extensive modifications, will remain subject to stricter, existing rules for genetically modified organisms.

A key focus of this regulation is to promote the development of plants that are better equipped to withstand climate change and pests while reducing the need for chemical pesticides. To ensure transparency, NGT-1 products will be listed in a public EU database and clearly labeled, while NGT-2 products will undergo full risk assessment and mandatory labeling. Furthermore, the legislation includes specific safeguards regarding intellectual property. While NGTs can be patented, these protections exclude natural traits to prevent market concentration and ensure that farmers retain rights such as the right to save and replant seeds.

The new rules, which received support as a way to boost European food security and innovation, exclude NGTs from organic production to maintain current standards. Member states will also have the authority to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of NGT-2 plants on their territory. The rules apply to both plants originating in Europe and those imported.

The regulation is set to enter into force 20 days after its publication in the EU Official Journal and will apply two years later.

For more details, read the news article on the European Parliament website.