The agrotech industry is facing a potential setback in its pursuit of relaxed regulations for new generation genetically modified (GM) plants. Hungary, currently presiding over the EU Council, has ignited a debate over the equivalence of these plants to conventionally bred crops, threatening to delay the implementation of the proposed New Genomic Techniques Regulation (NGT).
This regulation seeks to streamline the approval process for certain GM crops created using advanced techniques that were not available when the existing GMO Directive was adopted over two decades ago. While Belgium had nearly reached a compromise position on the proposal, Hungary’s intervention has stalled progress.
The Hungarian presidency has expressed concerns about the equivalence assessment, arguing that the number and size of genetic modifications alone may not adequately determine the potential risks associated with new GM products. They also highlight other concerns, including labelling, identification, exports, and compatibility with international biosafety protocols.
However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a long-awaited assessment concluding that plants with genetic modifications within the proposed threshold for ‘category 1’ plants could occur naturally. EFSA therefore considers these NGT plants equivalent to conventionally bred plants in terms of genetic modification and potential risks.
This scientific opinion from EFSA has been embraced by proponents of deregulation, who view it as further evidence that NGT crops are distinct from traditional GMOs, where genes are transferred across species. However, opponents, such as Greenpeace, argue that EFSA’s opinion contradicts the findings of other national agencies, including France’s ANSES, which warn of potential risks to human health and the environment.
The Hungarian stance has sparked concern among industry stakeholders like Euroseeds, which fears a five-year setback in the implementation of the NGT proposal. The European Parliament has already approved its position on the GMO regulation reform, but the process now hinges on an intergovernmental agreement. The potential delay caused by Hungary’s intervention could significantly impact the advancement of plant breeding innovation and access to new technologies for the agricultural sector.
