Today marks a truly significant moment for the European seed sector. After many years of scientific discussions, political debate and an exceptionally long and complex legislative process, the adoption of the new Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) provides Europe with a modern framework for plant breeding innovation.
This achievement reflects the dedication and perseverance of countless stakeholders across the agri-food chain, including Euroseeds and its members, who have worked tirelessly throughout this journey. While important implementation work still lies ahead, today’s decision offers renewed confidence that innovation can help European agriculture become more resilient, competitive and sustainable.
“This is milestone for plant breeding innovation in and for Europe,” said Garlich von Essen, Secretary General and CEO of Euroseeds. “The European Parliament and the Council both recognized that more technology openness, competitiveness and productivity in European agriculture are urgently needed; and that the new genomic techniques hold great potential to support that. They can help us find new solutions to the manyfold challenges we are facing in farming, from climate volatility to resource preservation or nutritional quality. And they enable us to be faster in the development of the respective plant varieties.”
We are grateful to all policymakers, experts and partners who contributed to reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to unlock the full potential of NGTs for farmers, breeders and society as a whole. Von Essen specifically thanked the European Parliament’s leading rapporteur on the file.
“We are very thankful to Jessica Polfjard for her strong commitment to find a landing zone that a majority of Members of the Parliament would support and still assure a meaningful legislation that enables true progress for plant breeding innovation. The rapporteur’s leadership is key when polarisation threatens to compromise accuracy and procedural integrity.”
