🌱 The Spanish EU Council Presidency wanted to speed up market approval for breeds made by targeted mutation and new genomic techniques.
❌ But Germany and other countries opposed the regulation, fearing it would threaten the organic and non-GMO markets.
🌾 The debate revolves around the coexistence of NGT breeds and organic breeds and patent bans for NGT seeds.
Introduction:
The EU Council failed to reach a qualified majority to adopt a new regulation on new genomic techniques (NGT) breeds. The regulation would allow for faster market approval of breeds made through targeted mutation and NGT, which are indistinguishable from conventionally breeds made by radiochemicals or chemical mutagens. The regulation does not address how to ensure the coexistence of organic breeds and NGT breeds. Germany, along with other countries, voted against the regulation due to concerns about the impact on the organic and non-GMO markets. German greens argue that NGT breeds should be regulated under EU GMO laws to ensure safety assessment, labeling, and monitoring. The Council Presidency wanted to reach a decision before the end of the German EU Council Presidency.
- The EU Council did not reach a qualified majority to adopt a new regulation on NGT breeds.
- Germany and other countries voted against the regulation due to concerns about its impact on the organic and non-GMO markets.
- German greens argue that NGT breeds should be regulated under EU GMO laws to ensure safety assessment, labeling, and monitoring.
Conclusion:
The failure to reach an agreement on the regulation of NGT breeds highlights the ongoing debate and concerns surrounding the coexistence of NGT breeds and organic breeds. Germany and other countries have raised concerns about the impact on the organic and non-GMO markets. There is a need to find a balance between promoting innovation in breeding techniques and ensuring the safety and transparency of the market. Further discussions and negotiations are expected in order to reach a consensus on the regulation of NGT breeds.
