EU reaches agreement on use of new genomic techniques in agriculture
The European Parliament and EU Member States have reached a political agreement on the use of “new genomic techniques” (NGTs) in the agri-food sector, the Danish presidency of the council confirmed on Thursday. The deal paves the way for a new regulatory framework governing how these technologies may be used to develop more resilient and sustainable plant varieties.
What new genomic techniques are
NGTs involve precise genetic modifications that do not introduce external additives, distinguishing them from traditional transgenic GMOs. They allow breeders to develop plant varieties that require fewer resources and are more resistant to drought, pests and disease, as well as crops such as wheat with reduced gluten content. “This technique makes it possible to grow climate-resilient crops and achieve higher yields on smaller areas,” said Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd, who led the negotiations.
The agreement also sets clear limits. Plants engineered to be resistant to herbicides or to produce insecticides will not be permitted on the market, and NGTs remain banned in organic farming.
The European Commission first proposed simplifying the rules for NGTs in 2023, triggering strong opposition from environmental NGOs. These groups argue for applying the precautionary principle and consider NGTs to be essentially “new GMOs.” Some farming organisations, including the Belgian group FUGEA, fear the changes could benefit large seed companies operating under patent-heavy systems.
NGT plant categories
The Commission welcomed the provisional agreement, emphasising that NGTs can accelerate the development of improved plant varieties and bolster sustainability. The measures are expected to reduce farmers’ reliance on water, fertilisers and pesticides, while also lowering administrative burdens and improving the competitiveness of EU producers.
Under the new system, NGT plants will be divided into two categories, the first being plants that could also arise naturally or through conventional breeding. These will undergo a verification process to confirm they meet specific criteria. Once verified, they will be treated like conventional plants and exempt from existing GMO rules.
The second category consists of the other NGT plants, which will remain subject to the current GMO authorisation process. They must undergo risk assessment, be traceable and carry GMO labelling. A voluntary label may indicate the purpose of the genetic modification.
The Commission will monitor patent practices and assess their impact on breeders’ and farmers’ access to genetic resources, with the possibility of proposing further measures.
Next steps
The regulation must now be formally adopted by both the Council and the European Parliament. It is expected to be published in the Official Journal in 2026 and to take effect two years later. Its implementation will be supported by a monitoring programme assessing economic, environmental and social impacts, including sustainability and safety considerations.
“Today’s agreement is a milestone for the use of innovation in agriculture. The new rules enable use of key tools for Europe’s plant breeding, farming and food sectors to compete globally,” said Olivér Várhelyi, the European commissioner for health and animal welfare. “This will enable market access for SMEs and for NGT applications tailored to specific European needs while upholding the high European safety standards.”
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