With the new technology, new genes are not transferred to plants, but the existing genome is changed or deleted.
The majority of the EU Parliament was a meager 307-263 when it approved the proposal for the introduction of the New Genome Technology (NGT). More than a thousand European scientists and 33 Nobel Prize winners appealed for change.
With the new technology, new genes are not transferred to the plant, but the existing genome is changed or deleted. Such changes could also occur in the plant in nature as a result of mutation or evolution.
The new modified varieties are expected to be more resistant to climate change and pests and to produce better yields. They would also need less fertilizers and pesticides.
The commission’s presentation defines new types of genetic engineering in a different category than more heavily genetically modified organisms and other GMO legislation.
The decision approved today still requires the approval of the EU member states.
– NGT plants play a crucial role in strengthening Europe’s food security and greening agricultural production. I hope that member states will soon agree on their position so that we can adopt the new rules before the European Parliament elections and give farmers the tools they need to go green, Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd said after the vote.
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