EU Ambassadors postponed discussion on new genomic techniques (NGTs) legislation due to a lack of consensus among member states, notably Poland, stalling efforts by the Belgian Council Presidency to resolve the deadlock. The proposal, aimed at addressing concerns over patentability of NGT crops, failed to secure sufficient support, with Poland’s Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski citing insufficient time to assess its impact.
Italy recently faced controversy with its first-ever field trial of NGT crops, specifically genetically modified Arborio rice resistant to blast disease. Despite governmental approval prompted by 2022’s severe drought, the trial was vandalized within a month of its launch, echoing past opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
NGTs, which modify existing genes without introducing foreign DNA, face scrutiny reminiscent of earlier GMO debates, with environmental groups and some member states questioning their environmental and health impacts. Disagreements persist between reports from the French Food Safety Agency and the Belgian Superior Health Council on NGT risks.
In Europe, NGTs remain tightly regulated under 2001 GMO directives, hindering their development despite ongoing field trials. Advocates argue for distinguishing NGTs from traditional GMOs, emphasizing potential benefits in agriculture amidst climate challenges.
Future progress on NGT legislation within the EU Council is uncertain, with upcoming presidencies likely to encounter similar hurdles in balancing regulatory frameworks with agricultural innovation.
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