Introduction:
The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has called for a patent ban on NGT-1 breeds, which are crops produced using new genomic techniques. The EU Commission has proposed to relax the rules for the cultivation and authorization of these crops, but the proposal was not adopted due to lack of support from EU member states. The AGRI Committee of the European Parliament has made improvements to the proposal and called for a ban on patenting NGT-1 plants. The ENVI Committee will also announce its amendments, paving the way for a vote by the European Parliament on the draft law.
- The EU Commission’s proposal to relax the rules for crops produced using new genomic techniques was not adopted due to lack of support from EU member states.
- The AGRI Committee of the European Parliament has called for a ban on patenting NGT-1 plants, which are equivalent to conventional breeds.
- The ENVI Committee will announce its amendments to the proposal.
- A vote by the European Parliament on the draft law and a new vote in the Council of Agriculture Ministers are expected to take place.
- The outcome of these votes could have implications for the regulation of new genomic techniques in the EU.
Conclusion:
The EU Commission’s proposal to relax the rules for crops produced using new genomic techniques has faced opposition from EU member states. The AGRI Committee of the European Parliament has called for a ban on patenting NGT-1 plants, while the ENVI Committee will announce its amendments to the proposal. The outcome of the upcoming votes could have significant implications for the regulation of new genomic techniques in the EU.
