EU Reaches Landmark Deal on New Genomic Techniques to Boost Agri-Food Sector

The European Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a comprehensive regulatory framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), marking a significant modernization of the EU's agrifood rules. The regulation aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of European food systems by embracing precision-breeding methods. Proponents view this agreement as a crucial step toward developing climate-resilient crops, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs, and securing food security within the bloc.

The core of the new regulation establishes two categories for NGT plants. Category 1 (NGT-1) plants, which are considered equivalent to conventionally bred plants because they could occur naturally or through traditional breeding, will benefit from a simplified procedure. This means they will be exempt from the strict requirements of existing GMO legislation, including the need for mandatory labeling of food and feed products derived from them. However, all NGT-1 seeds and reproductive material will still require labeling, and traits conferring herbicide tolerance are explicitly excluded from this simplified category.

In contrast, Category 2 (NGT-2) plants—those with more complex modifications—will remain subject to the full set of existing GMO rules, including mandatory risk assessments, authorization procedures, and product labeling. The agreement also addresses intellectual property concerns by requiring companies to disclose existing or pending patents when registering NGT-1 products, which will be logged in a public database. This provisional deal, which still requires formal adoption by both the Council and Parliament, provides much-needed regulatory clarity for researchers and breeders, accelerating the development of innovative crops across Europe.

Jacob Jensen, Danish 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 fertilizer or pesticides. Our farmers and agri-food sector will be better equipped to innovate and continue to produce healthy and safe food for our citizens."

In a separate statement, Europe's seed sector, represented by Euroseeds, welcomed the successful conclusion of trilogue negotiations, saying they are ready to continue to support regulators in the implementation of the basic Regulation to help ensure that the full potential of NGTs can be realized in Europe.

For more details, read the press release from the Council of the EU. The Euroseeds statement is available here.