New genomic techniques for plants to boost innovation in sustainable agriculture

Official European Parliament press release on the adoption of new rules to facilitate access to plants obtained through new genomic techniques, aiming to promote climate- and pest-resistant plants, higher yields, and reduced need for pesticides. The resource explains that NGT plants will be divided into two categories: NGT-1, for plants with a limited number and type of changes that could have occurred through conventional breeding and that, once verified, will be treated like conventional plants; and NGT-2, for plants with more extensive or complex genetic modifications, which will remain covered by strict GMO rules, be subject to risk assessment, and require authorisation before being commercialised in the European Union. The note also highlights provisions on traceability, labelling, a public EU database for NGT-1 varieties, exclusion of NGTs from organic production, mandatory monitoring of sustainability impacts, and patent safeguards to prevent market concentration and ensure fair access for farmers.