Negotiators from the European Union have reached a provisional agreement on a legal framework for new genomic techniques, or NGTs, covering plant breeding, labelling rules, and patent provisions. The agreement still requires endorsement by the European Parliament and member states, but is expected to advance following the negotiations.
NGTs refer to breeding methods such as gene editing that modify part of an organism's genetic material without inserting DNA from another species. Proponents note that the resulting traits can also occur naturally or through conventional breeding. This separates NGTs from older genetic modification techniques that rely on foreign gene insertion.
Under the agreement, many NGT plants will be exempt from existing GMO rules. Foods produced with these techniques may be sold without special labelling, although seeds and reproductive material of NGT-1 plants must be labelled to allow operators to maintain NGT-free supply chains if desired. NGT-1 plants are recognised as equivalent to conventionally bred material. National authorities will verify NGT-1 classification, but this verification does not need to be repeated for subsequent generations.
An exclusion list prevents NGT-1 plants from including herbicide tolerance traits or the production of known insecticidal substances. Plants with these traits are classified as NGT-2 and will remain under existing GMO legislation, including authorisation, monitoring, and mandatory labelling. States may opt out of cultivating NGT-2 plants and may adopt coexistence measures to prevent unintentional presence in other production chains.
Jacob Jensen, Denmark's Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, said, "New genomic techniques can help us do more with less. The regulation will allow us to develop new plant varieties that are more resilient to climate change and require less fertilisers or pesticides."
The regulation addresses ongoing concerns around patenting. Patent rules remain under the EU Biotech Directive, but the NGT framework introduces additional transparency requirements. When registering an NGT-1 plant or product, breeders must submit information on all existing or pending patents related to the material, which will be published in a public database. Companies may voluntarily indicate whether licences will be available under equitable conditions. A patenting expert group will be established to examine the impacts on innovation, seed availability, and competitiveness. One year after entry into force, the European Commission will publish a study assessing patent impacts and may propose follow-up legislation.
Supporters say the framework could strengthen EU agrifood competitiveness, reduce external dependence, and help growers access varieties developed for drought, flooding, or reduced fertiliser and pesticide input. Critics maintain concerns about environmental and health effects and argue that consumer choice over gene-edited foods should be preserved.
The agreement covers plants developed through targeted mutagenesis or cisgenesis, including intragenesis. Traditional GMOs will continue under existing GMO rules, which remain unchanged.
Source: DW
For more information:
Magdalena Walczak-Jarosz
European Council
Tel: +32 2 281 80 79
Email: [email protected]
www.consilium.europa.eu
