Plant Breeding Innovation Clears Next Hurdle for EU NGT Framework

The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment (ENVI) has recently approved a compromise text on the New Genomic Techniques (NGT) Regulation, marking a significant milestone in the development of a modern framework for genomic techniques within the European Union. This approval, which was reached by a strong majority, follows trilogue negotiations between the Council, the Commission, and the Parliament in early December. The next step in the legislative process is for the Council to confirm the same text at one of its upcoming meetings, with expectations that this will occur in February or, at the latest, early March.

Following Council confirmation, two further votes are required to finalize the adoption of the NGT Regulation. These will take place in the ENVI Committee and the plenary session of the European Parliament, both of which are anticipated to occur in April, according to a recent press release. The swift progression of the legislation is seen as crucial for the European agricultural sector, as it aims to provide a robust regulatory framework that supports the use of new genomic techniques in plant breeding, thereby enhancing food security, competitiveness, and agricultural productivity.

Garlich von Essen, Secretary General and CEO of Euroseeds, expressed enthusiasm following the ENVI Committee’s approval, describing it as an important signal and step forward for EU plant breeders and farmers. Von Essen highlighted the broad support for the compromise text, with a solid majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from various political groups backing the agreement. This broad-based support is seen as a positive indicator that the European Union will soon have the necessary regulatory framework in place to enable breeders to invest in and develop new plant products, which are essential for farmers and growers in the region.

Euroseeds has reiterated its commitment to collaborate constructively with EU institutions and regulators to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the NGT Regulation. The organization emphasizes the importance of swift action to realize the full potential of the new framework for European agriculture, competitiveness, and food security. With the legislative process moving forward, the focus now shifts to the Council’s confirmation and the subsequent votes in the ENVI Committee and plenary session, all of which are expected to be completed by April.

This development is particularly significant in the context of the evolving agricultural landscape, where the use of new genomic techniques offers significant opportunities for improving crop yields, resilience to climate change, and overall food security. The approval of the NGT Regulation compromise text by the ENVI Committee marks a crucial turning point, paving the way for a modern and adaptable regulatory framework that will support the innovation and growth of the European agricultural sector in the years to come. As the legislative process continues, stakeholders in the sector look forward to the successful completion of the remaining steps, ensuring that the EU remains at the forefront of agricultural advancement and sustainability.