| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Details | COM (2023) 411 |
| Publication Date | 05/07/2023 |
| Content Type | Blog & Commentary, News, Policy-making |
Summary:Legislative initiative tabled by the European Commission on 5 July 2023, focusing on plants produced by certain new genomic techniques (NGTs). It also introduces amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/625. This is a text with EEA relevance. Further information:NGTs provide new opportunities to alter the genetic material of an organism allowing the rapid development of plant varieties with specific characteristics. They constitute a diverse group of techniques, each of which can be used in various ways to achieve different results. In many cases, these new techniques can lead to more targeted and precise modifications to the genome than conventional breeding or established genomic techniques and these modifications could or could not be produced in nature or obtained by conventional breeding techniques. Targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis (including intragenesis) are considered NGTs They are different from established genomic techniques because they have novel features, for example, higher precision and speed in introducing the desired genetic modifications and the insertion of genetic material only from a crossable species. Targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis do not introduce genetic material from non-crossable species (transgenesis) whereas this is the case with established genomic techniques. In addition, in some cases, products containing or consisting of plants with genetic modifications introduced by NGTs cannot be differentiated from products containing or consisting of plants bred with conventional breeding methods by analytical methods, whereas this is always possible for established genomic techniques. In Case C-528/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) held that Directive 2001/18/EC cannot be interpreted as excluding from its scope Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) obtained by means of new techniques/methods of mutagenesis which have appeared or have been mostly developed since that Directive was adopted. Trough Decision (EU) 2019/1904, the Council of the European Union requested a study in light of that judgment, which was eventually published in April 2021. It concluded that the existing GMO legislation was not fit to regulate NGT plants obtained by targeted mutagenesis or cisgenesis, and products (including food and feed) derived from them and that that legislation needed to be adapted to scientific and technical progress in this area. This draft law reflects the outcome of that study. It focuses on plants produced by targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis (including intragenesis), products containing or consisting of these plants and food and feed containing, consisting or produced from these plants. It reflects demand in the EU and globally for NGT plants, because of their potential to contribute to addressing existing challenges in the agri-food system. The Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy specifically identifies new techniques as a possible tool to increase sustainability of agri-food systems and contribute to guaranteeing food security. The proposed Regulation was adopted by the European Commission on 5 July 2023, as part of a legislative package focusing on the sustainable use of key natural resources. |
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| Source Link |
Link to Main Source
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2023:411:FIN
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Environment |
| Subject Tags | Agriculture, Food | Drinks |
| Keywords | Genetically Modified Organisms [GMOs], Plant Health |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
