![Plants produced using new genomic techniques [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EPRS-Briefing-754549-New-genomic-techniques-FINAL.png?fit=1024%2C684&ssl=1)
Written by Ivana Katsarova (3rd edition, updated on 28.05.2024).
On 5 July 2023, the Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on certain new genomic techniques (NGTs). It establishes two categories of plants obtained by NGTs: plants comparable to naturally occurring or conventional plants, and plants with modifications that are more complex. The two categories will be subject to different requirements to reach the market, taking into account their differing characteristics and risk profiles.
Feedback from stakeholders is mixed. While industry interest groups have hailed the ‘game-changing proposals’ bringing innovation in plant breeding, the organic food and farming movement have criticised the Commission’s plan to take NGTs out of the existing legal framework, as it could leave organic food systems unprotected.
In a vote on 7 February 2024, the Parliament adopted its first-reading position with 307 votes for to 263 against and 41 abstentions. MEPs agreed to support a simplified registration for plant varieties produced using NGTs that are deemed to be equivalent to conventional varieties, while retaining stricter controls for others that are not (plants resulting from targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis). The Council is yet to reach a general approach.
Complete version
- May 2024: Plants produced by new genomic techniques (3rd edition)
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625 | ||
| Committee responsible: | Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) | COM(2023)411 final 05.07.2023 |
| Rapporteur: | Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, Sweden) | 2023/0226(COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Christophe Clergeau (S&D, France) Jan Huitema (Renew, the Netherlands) Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany) Pietro Fiocchi (ECR, Italy) Silvia Sardone (ID, Italy) Anja Hazekamp, (The Left, the Netherlands) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: | Trilogue negotiations | |
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