Tag: NGTs

2026: ambitious actions for farmers and the bioeconomy needed

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

Brussels, 21st October 2025 – As every year, the European Commission presented earlier this week its work programme for the year 2026. The programme, named “Europe’s independent moment”, highlights the flagship policy and legislative initiatives that will be proposed in the year ahead.


On agriculture, the Commission announced two main new initiatives for the upcoming months.


First, the publication of an EU livestock strategy is expected by the second quarter of 2026. Indeed, the livestock workstream’s meetings are still running, led by DG AGRI, with the next one planned for 23rd October to discuss competitiveness and sustainability. Farm Europe emphasises the need for an ambitious strategy able to rely on a comprehensive toolbox for consolidating achievements, economic support and targeted investment. The EU needs a strong livestock sector to bring back production in Europe, to fully optimise the positive benefits of livestock farming and to invest and prepare for the future.


Secondly, an update of rules on unfair trading practices in the food chain is foreseen for the third quarter of 2026 with the objective of ensuring that European farmers and small producers are better protected. Yet, we are still waiting for the evaluation of the directive, which is expected by November of this year.


At the same time, there are various pending proposals relating to the agri-food sector, going through different stages of the legislative process. The Animal welfare during transport proposal is still awaiting its committee vote, while the Wine package is scheduled for a committee vote on 5th November. Progress is also being made on files under interinstitutional negotiation: the CAP Simplification Package went through its first trilogue recently, with adoption expected by the end of the year to ease administrative burdens for farmers; the UTP proposal has also completed its first trilogue; and both the CMO (Position of Farmers) and NGT (New Genomic Techniques) proposals have further trilogue meetings foreseen in mid-November. In parallel, a set of longer-term proposals (MFF & Performance Framework, CAP, NRP and the CMO Reform) were all published in July, marking the early stage of their legislative journey.


When it comes to the development of a European bioeconomy that puts farmers at the centre, a new Circular Economy Act is expected for the third quarter of 2026, complementing the Bioeconomy Strategy that will be published in November of this year. This legislative file presents a significant opportunity both for the agricultural sector, especially through the promotion of a sustainable use of resources, including water, waste reduction, and the recycling of organic by-products. The Act according to the Commission
aims at boosting agriculture’s transition toward a more sustainable, resource-efficient model that safeguards both food security and natural resources, while also supporting the deployment of the EU Water Resilience Strategy.


Secondly, the European executive has decided to divide the upcoming EU Biotech Act into two stages. The first part, to be published by the end of 2025, will concentrate mainly on health-related biotechnology, including measures to simplify rules on clinical trials and aspects relevant to the food and feed sectors. It will form part of a broader health package alongside the revision of medical device regulations. The second part, expected in the third quarter of 2026, will cover the wider biotech ecosystem. This two-step approach reflects the Commission’s view that different biotech sectors require tailored solutions, following extensive stakeholder consultations.


The European Commission’s 2026 work programme paves the way for an Energy Union package for the decade ahead in Q3 2026, as well as an Omnibus to simplify energy product legislation. The programme also signals a forthcoming revision of the renewable energy framework for the same period, which may reflect a shift toward the broader concept of ‘clean energy’, potentially paving the way for the principle of technological neutrality, which would allow farmers to play an active role in the decarbonisation of other economic sectors, namely transport, through the production of biomass used, for instance, to produce bioenergy and biofuels.

  • Concerning the Union’s action in reducing GHG emissions and fighting climate change, the Commission plans on publishing its Climate Package in Q3-4 2026. The text will revise the frameworks for effort-sharing on greenhouse gas emissions not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as well as for LULUCF and forestry. These updates are particularly relevant for the agricultural sector, which plays a central role in both carbon sequestration and emissions reduction, ensuring that farming contributes equitably to Europe’s climate goals while providing a new source of income for farmers.


Complementing these measures, the European integrated framework for climate resilience, with legislative and non-legislative components scheduled for Q4 2026, has the ambition of enhancing Europe’s resilience to climate-related impacts. By supporting adaptive strategies in agriculture, water management, and rural infrastructure, the plan can be an opportunity to further safeguard food production and water resources against climate risks, as well as to scale up carbon farming practices.


Looking ahead, the negotiations will continue on pending proposals such as the amendment to the EU Climate Law, which would set a 90% emissions reduction target for 2040, and the Green Claims Directive. The first legislative initiative should acknowledge the agricultural sector’s full potential to contribute to the decarbonisation of other industries, while restricting the use of international carbon credits, since they are difficult to verify, open the door to fraud, and could undermine domestic decarbonization incentives by not reflecting the true costs of EU-based climate efforts. The second proposal would be an opportunity to give the right value to farmers’ transition towards more sustainable practices.


For questions and reactions please do not hesitate to contact us at info@farm-europe.eu.

Farm Europe Welcomes Council’s Adoption of NGTs Negotiating Mandate

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

Farm Europe warmly welcomes the Council’s adoption of its negotiating mandate on new genomic techniques (NGTs), marking a significant step forward for the future of EU agriculture. This milestone paves the way for a regulatory framework that supports both economic and environmental performance, enhancing Europe’s agricultural competitiveness and sustainability.

The adoption of the negotiating mandate demonstrates a strong political will to modernize EU regulations in line with scientific developments.

As the Council and European Parliament move forward in their negotiations, Farm Europe urges both institutions to advance swiftly and constructively towards a final agreement. Delaying progress on this vital dossier would hinder the EU’s ability to leverage cutting-edge plant breeding innovations to address global food security challenges and environmental goals.

We encourage the negotiators to finalize an agreement without delay, ensuring that European farmers can benefit from the full potential of NGTs rejecting unnecessary labeling requirements for the NGT1 categories and following a sensible approach not hindering research when it comes to patenting.

SHADOWS ON THE FUTURE MFF BLUR THE VISION FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

The Vision for Agriculture and Food presented today by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, aims to show that the farmers’ distress, which culminated in a significant protest a year ago, has been well understood in Brussels. However, how this renewed political message will concretely translate into action remains an open question, especially in light of the concerning ideas initially put forward by the European Commission regarding the Multi Annual Financial Framework and the CAP budget .

The Vision presents farmers as entrepreneurs and emphasises the need to prioritize incentives over constraints, and the strategic challenge for Europe to build genuine agricultural sovereignty through a renewed focus on production. This objective is directly linked to sustainability imperatives, the fight against climate change, and innovation. These are all welcome directions that have been proposed for several years by Farm Europe.

The emphasis put on the external dimension, with the European Commission’s stated intention to ensure “reciprocity” and “regulatory alignment” between imported products and those produced within the EU, also represents progress. However, vigilance will be required regarding the concrete measures to come, which must not undermine current EU production standards, given the considerable efforts already made by European farmers to comply with them.

The fact that the Commission recognises the essential role of livestock farming and announces a future strategy for this sector is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, this work should be conducted within a high-level group to avoid top-down approaches.

Similarly, the approach to plant protection products has been renewed by applying the principle that ban on use should be considered based on whether alternatives are available. This tangible shift must go hand in hand with an acceleration in the adoption of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) and biocontrol products.

Finally, the document highlights the food dimension, recognizing the importance of transparency for consumers through the labeling of food origin and strengthening the link between food, territory, seasonality, and local traditions. The warning regarding ultra-processed foods is welcome, as it echoes numerous scientific studies on their harmful effects on health.

Some major concerns

However, this policy document also raises significant concerns. To establish a clear direction, the EU needed to explicitly state the necessity of sustainably increasing production to address the challenges of agricultural sovereignty. This is a dual challenge: repositioning itself geopolitically in terms of internal and external food security and gaining sufficient strategic autonomy to independently develop its bioeconomy and achieve its decarbonization goals.

Moreover, in a context of strong concern among farmers, a clear signal regarding the CAP budget is missing. Strengthening the EU’s strategic agricultural autonomy requires putting an end to decades of CAP budget reductions. A commitment to compensating for the impact of inflation, which, between 2021 and 2027, has resulted in a loss of more than €85 billion, is essential.

In this regard, doubts about the intentions behind targeting “those who are most in need” are real. This phrase has frequently been used as a euphemism for prioritizing budget constraints over a concrete vision for the future of European farms.

CAP subsidies represent more than 50% of farmers’ income and, in some Member States, more than 70%. For example, a 10% degressivity threshold beyond 16 hectares would only generate €3.2 billion in redistributive payments. However, such a measure would have harmful effects on many key agricultural structures for European production, particularly in already vulnerable areas, where farms have been forced to expand or consolidate to better control costs, compensate for low yields, and cope with agricultural prices pressure.

NGTs: NOBEL LAUREATES CALL FOR REGULATION APPROVAL, EU DEBATES, AND BAVARIAN VOICES RISE

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Nobel laureates and scientific coalitions call on the European Parliament to embrace new genomic techniques for climate and food security. Within the EU, debates intensify over proposals to patent gene-edited plant. EP adopted its negotiating position while the Council’s presidency is still anxious to build a majority to adopt its position on NGTs which would open the way to trilogues.

While FAO studies the impact of biotechnologies on small farmers holders, the UK develop disease-resistant bananas.

New Breeding Techniques : a good news for farmers, tarnished by a request for labelling

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

With 307 votes in favour 263 against and 41 abstentions the report on the legal framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGT) was approved by the European Parliament. This is good news that will give farmers new tools to adapt to climate change and use less chemicals.

However, the European Parliament voted for a position that differs in many respects from that of the European Commission making it much more cautious towards NGTs. While the Commission basically equated NGT1 with conventional varieties the European Parliament demands that NGT1 must meet sustainability criteria and pass an environmental assessment in order to be placed on the market. In addition Farm Europe regrets that today’s vote calls for imposing labelling not only on reproductive plant material but also on final products containing NGT1.

While the Commission avoided the issue of patents postponing it to a different legislation the Parliament imposes a patent ban on new genomic techniques. On the organic the exclusion of NGTs is confirmed but the Commission is asked for a revision of this decision after 7 years from the entry into force of the regulation. This text will then have to be negotiated with the Council once the 27 Member States agree on a general approach. This afternoon the Belgian presidency at Coreper will try to make progress in this direction.

NGTs: NGOs AND RETAILERS REACT TO PROPOSAL

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

The proposals put forward by the EPP rapporteur for the European Parliament’s COMENVI committee have aroused opposition from the left-wing parties, particularly with regard to authorising the use of category 1 NGTs in organic farming. Alongside the European Parliament, which has stepped up the pace of its work, the Council of Agriculture Ministers is discussing the issue again on 20 November, with a view to adopting a general Council approach (the Council’s negotiating position with the European Parliament).

In Germany, the major retail groups are divided over the issue of NGTs and the need for labelling or not.

For Furhter

NGTs: GERMANY TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR R&D

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

The German Research Ministry has decided to invest 50 millions in NGTs R&D while some organic association continue to oppose the proposal of the commission.

Convinced by the potential of NGTs, the EP rapporteurs and the Council’s presidency aim at reaching negotiating positions as soon as possible to begin trilogues’ negotiations in early 2024.

Outside the EU, the UK, China and the US progress in CRISPR technologies and modify pigs and chickens against different viruses.

NGTs : a step in the right direction by the European Commission

Posted on - Posted by Farm Europe

The publication of the proposal for a « Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed » is scheduled for 5 July next, and the draft is circulating among the various DGs in an interservices procedure for final amendments before publication.

The text that is now circulating – unless any last-minute substantial changes – gives us an idea of the direction in which the Commission intends to go. It confirms our expectations, providing a good working basis on this file to boost innovation, and meet the health, climate and environmental challenges, ahead of the negotiations to come with the co-legislators. 

First of all, a clear distinction is made between 2 groups of NGTs:

1. Plants obtained through targeted mutagenesis or cisgenesis, which could also occur naturally or be produced through conventional breeding (‘category 1 NGT plants’) would be treated similarly to conventional plants and would not require authorisation, but a simple notification. In addition, a transparency register would be established. If the notification takes place before the field trial, the verification of the criteria takes place at Member State level and the national decision has EU-wide effects and also applies to the placing on the market. For placing on the market where no field trials have been carried out in the EU, including imports, the decision is taken by the Commission, after verification of the criteria by EFSA. No specific labelling would be required.

2.         All plants from NGTs that do not fall under the first case are called category 2 NGT plants’ and would fall under GMO legislation and therefore undergo an authorisation process. The risk assessment would be adapted to take into account their different risk profiles and measures would be introduced to incentivise plant products that could contribute to a sustainable agri-food system. Traceability would be maintained as well as labelling. On a voluntary basis, GMO labelling can be supplemented with information on the purpose of genetic modification, e.g. to increase the sustainability of the plant. Unlike for GMOs, for these plants it will not be possible for Member States to restrict their cultivation or circulation on the market. There will be regulatory incentives for (potential) applicants of category 2 NGT plants containing traits with the potential to contribute to a sustainable agri-food system, e.g. an accelerated procedure or where the applicant is an SME, it shall be exempted from the payment of the financial contributions to the Union Reference Laboratory and to the European Network of GMO Laboratories.

With respect to these two categories of NGTs, herbicide-tolerant NGT plants, even if they fulfil the notification criteria (category 1 NGT) will remain subject to authorisation and the related requirements, in order to be able to assess their impact on human and animal health and the environment in the medium and long term. “There is evidence to show that herbicide-resistant weeds may result from the combined use of herbicide-tolerant varieties and associated herbicide overuse, with potential health and agroecosystem impacts,” the Commission explains. 

As far as organic is concerned, according to the Commission initial draft, both NGT1 and NGT2 would be banned in organic production and to enable this, it would be mandatory to indicate the use of NGT in seed labelling. Member States would have to take implementing measures for coexistence.

Once formally adopted by the college of Commissioners on the 5th July, this proposal will be discussed under co-decision by the European Parliament and Council. Both ComENVI and ComAGRI will be involved until the end of this mandate. Most probably it will be up to the next Parliament to finalise the deal and negotiate with the Council.