EU split on deregulating gene-edited food as Council deadlock persists
Despite recent efforts by EU governments to ease rules new genomic techniques (NGTs) for food crops, these novel methods continue to face resistance from politicians and society.
GMOs
Belgium’s health authority endorses new gene-editing rules, clashing with French opinion
Belgium’s national health agency has endorsed a European Commission proposal to loosen rules on gene-editing techniques, underscoring its potential to improve sustainability in agriculture in a report published on 21 March.
European Parliament adopts its position on gene-edited plants
With the clock ticking to reach a deal before the end of the legislature, the European Parliament on Wednesday (7 February) approved its amendments on the new rules for the highly controversial new genomic technologies (NGTs).
[Opinion] The MEPs’ vote on new GMOs that’s a gift to corporations
On Wednesday MEPs will vote on a proposal that would scrap any safety checks for GMOs, as well as labelling and traceability requirements. Many of these MEPs, I suspect, will scratch their heads about the implications of this deregulation proposal.
EU Parliament gives first green light to new rules for gene-edited plants
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) approved on Wednesday (24 January) new rules for new genomic techniques (NGTs). The plenary will vote in two weeks, but doubts remain on whether a law can be approved before the elections.
European Parliament heads for tight vote on plant gene editing
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) is set to vote on new genomic techniques (NGTs) on 24 January, with a right-leaning majority, as the dossier becomes more and more divisive with little time left before the European elections
Political debate on plants’ gene editing resumes amid NGO protests
Political groups in the European Parliament will try to reach a deal on gene editing next Tuesday (16 January), while experts in the Council seek to untangle the controversial points of the legislation and NGOs protest in Brussels.
New GMOs in Agriculture: No gain, much pain
The European Commission justifies the deregulation of new genomic techniques with sustainability benefits & higher yields. This promise is untenable as deregulating NGTs won’t do the job, writes Karl Bär.
Low-speed zone: Europe’s super crops revolution hits bottleneck
Brussels’ bid to fast-track looser rules for new genetically engineered plants is showing fractures, as more questions than answers arise.
How to navigate Belgium’s EU presidency policy agenda like a pro
Time is running out to make progress on files before the 2024 European election.
EPP faces pushback on gene-editing liberalisation proposal
Left-wing parties in the European Parliament have criticised a proposal by centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) lawmaker Jessica Polfjärd to loosen rules on new genomic techniques (NGTs) even more than the Commission originally aimed for.
New genomic techniques: A panacea for reducing pesticide use?
New genomic techniques are unavoidable and could considerably reduce the use of pesticides without affecting food production, some European agricultural players have argued, though NGOs and environmental groups have been sceptical.
Agrifood Brief: NGTs in the UK
‘Right now’ sang the Sex Pistols in the intro of their smash hit ‘Anarchy in the UK’ – a message echoing from across the Channel regarding Britain’s readiness to embrace gene editing technology. And while the punk band’s dream of…
Resistance to agricultural greening will remain after Slovak election
Many politicians vying for seats in the Slovak parliament have shown a distinct lack of enthusiasm for greening the EU’s agricultural policy on GMOs, pesticides and unproductive land as the 30 September election looms. Of the nine major parties in…
EU ministers split on risks, potential of looser gene editing rules
A first discussion about new genomic techniques saw many EU agriculture ministers welcome the European Commission’s proposed loosening of the bloc’s gene editing rules as a building block for sustainable farming, while others voiced concerns over poten…