About: new plant breeding techniques
MEPs demand EU funding for research into gene editing surveillance
A cross-party coalition of MEPs have co-signed a letter to the European Commission demanding EU-funded research into the potential risks and analytical detection of genetically engineered organisms, warning of dire consequences for the sector if no action is taken.
UK positions itself as frontrunner in gene editing research
In the hopes of becoming a frontrunner in biotechnology following Brexit, the UK has announced new legislation cutting what it deems as “unnecessary” red tape to encourage gene-editing research.
Agrifood Brief: Size matters
Another week, another public consultation. Whether it’s deforestation or the EU’s new animal welfare legislation, there’s plenty of opportunities for everyone to give their two cents on the Commission’s policy plans. This is important given that this feeds into and...
Agrifood Brief: Gene-editing super league
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. This week: EURACTIV’s agrifood team delves into the publication of the Commission’s controversial new...
Commission reopens gene editing’s box amid sustainability claims
A new study from the European Commission has concluded that the current legal framework governing new genomic techniques (NGTs) is insufficient and indicated that new policy instruments should be considered to reap the benefits of this technology.
Report: majority of consumers want compulsory labelling on all genetically modified food
A majority of European consumers want to see compulsory labelling on food products containing genetically modified crops, according to a recent Ipsos report, but industry players insist that this is impossible to implement.
Gene editing requires ‘wide and inclusive’ societal debate, says ethics group
There is a need for a wide societal debate, including ethical reflection, over new gene-editing techniques, according to a new report from an advisory body for the European Commission, which was welcomed by industry players but accused of missing the mark by environmental campaign groups.
Commission at odds with Parliament over GM crop authorisations
The EU executive looks set to press ahead with a "new approach" to genetically modified (GM) crop authorisations in the wake of persistent lack of political support for the technology in the European Parliament.
UK launches consultation on gene editing, signals divergence from EU
In one of its first post-Brexit moves, the UK has launched a consultation on gene editing in a bid to unlock “substantial benefits” for the sector and the environment, but the move could put the country at odds with the EU on the matter.
Plant breeding sector split over potential of patenting to spur innovation
The European Commission adopted its intellectual property plan in November, hailed as a driver of future growth, but the plant breeding sector remains divided over the potential of intellectual property rights for spurring on much-needed agricultural innovation.
Existing guidance appropriate for gene editing assessment, says EFSA
Genome editing does not pose any additional hazards compared to conventional breeding or other genetic modification methods, meaning that existing guidance is adequate for their assessment, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has concluded.
EU still reflects over agri-innovation as UK mulls moves forward
While the EU considers the potential role of new innovative techniques to protect harvests from pests and diseases, on the other side of the Channel, the UK is getting ready to open the door to new gene-editing technologies post-Brexit.
UK farmers group backs call for allowing access to gene editing technology
The UK National Farmers Union (NFU) has backed calls made by a cross-party group for the new Agriculture Bill to allow British farmers to access to gene-editing technology post-Brexit.OpinionPromoted content
What is genetic engineering? A plea for a rational definition of what it is and what it isn’t
The public debate on genetic engineering in agriculture is largely characterised by misinformation, myths and a confused understanding of nature, writes plant breeding and gene editing expert, Professor Hans-Jörg Jacobsen (PhD).
Mutagenesis techniques must be subject to GMO regulation, says French court
The French government has been ordered to adapt its policy on plants developed using certain new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), namely gene editing and in-vitro mutagenesis, in order to adhere to stricter rules for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a French...
Italian minister: Unlike gene editing, GMOs belong to the past
Italy's agricultural minister Teresa Bellanova expressed an interest in developing sustainable biotechnology, in the light of a milestone agreement on next-gen biotech between farmers organisation Coldiretti and the Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics (SIGA).
‘New GMOs’: Kyriakides gets off on wrong foot with biased consultation
The new EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides recently told EURACTIV.com that her “priority is to gather more information” on gene editing. To this end, she said, "we will be preparing a study on new genomic techniques, foreseen for spring 2021”. Clearly, the design and set-up of such a study will be crucial to its outcome, writes Nina Holland.
EU health chief wants more information on gene editing
The new EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides wants more information about the controversial issue of gene editing and for now, she seems less enthusiastic than her predecessor Vytenis Andriukaitis.
French MEP calls for ‘realism’ in Farm to Fork strategy
The plant protection part of the upcoming Farm to Fork strategy should take a realistic and science-based approach that allows farmers to “explore all possible solutions”, French conservative MEP Anne Sander told EURACTIV.
US agriculture chief urges EU to listen to science, not fear-mongering NGOs
When it comes to food, EU policymakers should make science-based decisions if they want to help European their farmers tackle the “legitimate concerns” over sustainability, Sonny Perdue, the US State Secretary of Agriculture, said on Monday (27 January).
Bayer scientist: ‘Regulation and risk assessment must evolve with technology’
Since new breeding technologies such as gene editing are still new and evolving, risk assessments and regulations also need to be evolving, says a molecular biologist for Bayer Life Science company. Dr Larry Gilberston, Ph.D., spoke to EURACTIV about the...
Corteva signs first major gene editing deal with European company
Despite the ongoing legal uncertainty over the future of new plant breeding innovation in Europe, US agricultural company Corteva Agriscience has signed the first major deal on genome editing tools with French seed producer Vilmorin & Cie.
EU study to clarify gene editing court ruling further muddies waters
After the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that organisms obtained by new plant breeding techniques (NBTs) should, in principle, fall under the GMO Directive, the Council of the EU has requested a study from the Commission to clarify the situation. But what this means in practice remains unclear.