Copa and Cogeca welcome the historic agreement reached between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament on the regulation of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). This milestone concludes more than a decade of debate and firmly upholds the science-based and proportionate approach proposed by the European Commission. Crucially, the agreement confirms that NGT 1 plants, being indistinguishable from conventionally bred plants, will be regulated in the same manner as conventional plants.
This regulation stands as the only initiative under the Farm to Fork Strategy of the European Green Deal to provide concrete and practical solutions for mitigating the effects of climate change, while addressing the shrinking toolbox available to European farmers. By enabling responsible access to advanced plant-breeding methods, the legislation will accelerate the development of improved plant varieties. For farmers, this means access to crops better able to withstand drought, heat stress, and emerging pests that increasingly threaten productivity, farm viability, and the stability of supply across the EU.
“This agreement marks a turning point for European agriculture. NGTs provide real and tangible tools to tackle the current and future challenges in climate, environment, and food security that the European Union faces. It addresses the urgent need for solutions to help farmers adapt to rapidly changing conditions. We are satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations, as the compromise closely reflects the positions that Copa and Cogeca have been advocating for,” said Thor Gunnar Kofoed, Chairman of the Copa and Cogeca Working Party on Seeds.
Copa and Cogeca also thank all those at the negotiating table for reaching a constructive compromise that benefits European agriculture.
Copa and Cogeca emphasise the importance of scrutinising the regulation’s implementation to ensure it meets its goals without creating undue burdens. They also call for the swift endorsement of the agreement by both the Council and the European Parliament, which will be essential for timely and effective implementation of the new framework. Ensuring clarity, predictability, and workable rules will be key to its success, especially given that the development of new plant varieties takes 8–10 years.
Fonte: Copa Cogeca
