European lawmakers and EU member states announced on Wednesday that they have reached a provisional agreement on the regulation of plants developed using new genomic techniques (NGTs), marking a significant step in modernizing Europe’s agricultural framework.
NGT plants are created by precisely adding, removing, or altering small sections of DNA using genetic editing tools, unlike traditional GMOs that involve transferring genes from one organism to another. Proponents say NGTs can accelerate modifications that could naturally occur or arise through conventional breeding.
Leading agricultural unions have championed the new approach, highlighting its potential to produce crops that are more resilient to climate change, require less fertilizer, and reduce pesticide use.
“The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a set of rules that establish a legal framework for new genomic techniques,” the EU said in a statement.
“The regulation aims to improve the competitiveness of the agrifood sector, ensure a level playing field for European operators, boost food security, and reduce external dependencies,” it added.
Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the issue, welcomed the agreement, noting that NGT technology could yield higher-yielding, climate-resilient crops that thrive in smaller spaces.
Under the deal, NGT plants are classified into categories based on risk. Category 1 NGTs, considered equivalent to naturally occurring varieties, will face eased regulatory requirements.
However, NGTs engineered to produce herbicides or insecticides will not be allowed on the market, and organic farming will remain free of all NGTs.
The agreement also addresses labeling and traceability concerns. While bags of seeds containing Category 1 NGTs must indicate their presence, the final agricultural products derived from these plants will not carry specific labels.
Critics, including environmental groups and organic farming advocates such as Charlotte Labauge of Pollinis, argue that this leaves consumers uninformed about what they are eating.
The deal also touches on patents and intellectual property, a topic that prompted months of intense debate within the EU.
The agreement still requires final approval by EU member states and the European Parliament before it can take effect, but it represents a major step in modernizing Europe’s approach to agricultural innovation while balancing environmental and economic considerations.
