About: GMO

The EU must not de-regulate gene-edited crops and foods

Some members of the outgoing EU Commission and the agbiotech lobby want the regulations governing genetically modified crops and foods relaxed or scrapped to open markets for gene-edited products. But this goes against the science underpinning the technology and could put the public and environment at risk, writes Dr Michael Antoniou.

Corteva official: Gene editing EU court ruling has sparked debate globally

An EU Court decision that confirmed that new plant breeding techniques fall under Genetically Modified legislation has generated more reaction and more discussion than “we would have ever anticipated”.

EU agriculture Commissioner ‘surprised’ by gene editing court ruling

The European governments have to decide whether science or politics are applied when it comes to issues such as new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), EU's Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said.

Scientists warn EU policymakers on ‘confusing’ gene editing court ruling

An interpretation of a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on gene editing is confusing EU member states, while the scientific community are warning policymakers about the implications on the future of EU farming.

Europe’s GM legislation is ‘outdated’, US says after Court ruling on gene editing

US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has called a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice on new plant-breeding techniques (NPBTs) a ‘setback’ and said Washington is ready to help EU politicians make decisions based on scientific evidence.

‘New GMOs’ are not progress, but another tool of industrial farming

The EU Court of Justice will soon publish its ruling concerning the legal statute of a group of biotechnologies, which have been called “new plant breeding techniques” by the industry.

EU court decision on plant breeding techniques ‘normally’ before summer break

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) should "normally" decide on the future of the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) before the summer break in July. However, no date has yet been set, a source close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.

Bayer nearing Monsanto deal amid stakeholders concerns

Bayer is nearing the completion of its mega-merger with Monsanto after the American Justice Department gave its green light but stakeholders in Germany and the United States, as well as shareholders, have expressed concerns about the risks linked to the transaction.

EU seeds industry: No sense to label products from new breeding techniques

Labelling products that result from the so-called new plant breeding techniques would provide little new information and would therefore make no sense for consumers, Garlich von Essen, secretary-general of the European Seeds Association (ESA), told EURACTIV.com.

MEP De Castro: New plant breeding techniques will ensure food quality and quantity

The new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) are a major opportunity to move toward sustainable agriculture and simultaneously ensure food quality for EU consumers, MEP Paolo De Castro told EURACTIV.com.

EU farmers: US overtakes Europe in plant breeding innovation

European farmers warned EU policymakers on 10 April to take immediate action and encourage innovative new plant breeding techniques following the US decision not to regulate them.

Commission expects clarity on GM scope from court ruling on plant breeding techniques

The European Commission expects “important” clarity on the scope of GMO legislation ahead of a Court ruling on new plant breeding techniques, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com following the release of an Advocate General’s first opinion.

EU and GMOs: The case for a knowledge-based society

Albert Einstein said, “It is harder to crack prejudice than an atom.” A persistent prejudice in the EU is that against GMOs. An EU court judgment has restated that fears are unfounded, but will Europe take the opportunity to become a science-based society, ask Roberto Defez and Dennis Eriksson.

GMOs: EU court says states can’t ban them unless risks are proven

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on Wednesday (13 September) that member states cannot adopt emergency measures banning genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without evidence of a serious risk to health or the environment. But the ruling was surpassed by recent EU legislation and changes nothing.

The Brief: Nicola the Bruce

Robert the Bruce was a Scottish king. He is famous for two things, one of which involves a spider. The other involves thumping the English.

Decision on new plant breeding techniques further delayed

The European Commission further delayed a much-awaited legal analysis of whether new plant breeding techniques should be considered as GMOs, EURACTIV has learned.

EU delays glyphosate decision amid cancer uproar

The EU postponed a decision Tuesday (8 March) on whether to extend the approval of a crucial weedkiller ingredient for another 15 years amid international uproar that it may cause cancer.

Decline of pollinators threatens our agricultural system

Pollinating insects are facing threats on an unprecedented scale, but our need for them has never been greater.Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Freedom of choice over GMO cultivation is a step forward

The European Parliament made history on 15 January this year, when it adopted the so-called opt-out proposal for genetically modified organisms (GMO). The decision to grant national governments this freedom and legal certainty was vital in a time of such euroscepticism, writes Elisabeth Köstinger. 

US wants ‘science’ to settle GMO debate in trade deal with EU

A planned EU/US trade deal should sweep away "non-scientific barriers" to US sales of many genetically modified crops and some chemically treated meats in Europe, the US agriculture secretary said on Tuesday (17 June).

France wins greater control over GMOs, but comes under fire from Greens

EU member states have finally agreed on a European law for the authorisation process of GMOs. This decision, which has been in the pipeline for years, has come under fire from French ecologists. EURACTIV France reports.

MEPs say GMO in honey is OK

Members of a European Parliament committee on Wednesday (19 March) endorsed draft rules that define pollen as a natural constituent of honey and not an ingredient. Genetically-modified (GM) pollen will only be labelled if it makes up more than 0.9% of the honey.