European Parliament confirms positive Vote on New Genomic Techniques; EU Council urged to embrace plant breeding innovation

April 24, 2024

European seed sector

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Plant breeding innovation

With resounding support, the European Parliament has reiterated its backing for NGTs, emphasizing their potential to boost competitiveness, sustainability, and food security across Europe. Euroseeds welcomes this validation and underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking and scientific advancement in shaping agricultural strategies.

Attention now falls on the Council of the European Union, where Euroseeds urges prompt and resolute action to achieve a consensus for the adoption of NGTs legislation. The momentum generated by the European Parliament’s endorsement underscores the critical need for regulatory clarity to fully harness the benefits of NGTs for farmers, consumers, and the environment alike.

Garlich von Essen, Secretary General of Euroseeds, expressed gratitude to the European Parliament for its support and acknowledgment of NGTs’ potential:

We thank the European Parliament for its continued support and recognition of the potential of the New Genomic Techniques,” commented Garlich von Essen, Euroseeds Secretary General. “Now, we call on the Council to build on this momentum and swiftly secure a majority for the final adoption of the new NGT legislation. Europe’s plant breeders and farmers urgently need to be enabled to harness the benefits of NGTs to successfully address the pressing agricultural challenges and deliver sustainable solutions.