GMOs in Europe under scrutiny – Poland pushes reform forward
GMOs in Europe Under Scrutiny – Poland Pushes Reform Forward
The Polish Presidency as a Driver of Change
The Importance of Genetically Modified Plants for Europe
Division into NGT Plant Categories
The Polish Compromise
Opinions of Experts and NGOs
Challenges for the Livestock Industry
The Future of NGT Deregulation in Europe
GMOs in Europe under scrutiny – Poland pushes reform forward
Poland has brought new impetus to the deregulation of genetically modified crops in Europe. By placing this issue on the presidency’s priority list, the topic is back on the political agenda. The European Commission proposed the reform in 2023, but its implementation has stalled so far. The European Parliament reached a common position in April 2024, but member state governments have not yet reached a qualified majority. Without this, trilogue talks, which would pave the way for the regulations to be implemented, cannot begin.
Polish Presidency as a Driver of Change
Diplomats emphasize that Poland is trying to act as an honest broker. “The Presidency has a duty to strive for compromise in the Council, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” says one Polish representative. Warsaw presented a compromise text in January, which is scheduled to be discussed during a meeting of the Council’s working group on genetic resources and innovation in agriculture on February 14th.
Comments from member states will be received in the coming months. If the talks are successful, the results could be presented at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in June. However, nothing is certain on this matter – the issue remains deeply divided.
The importance of genetically modified plants for Europe
Experts point out that gene editing and genetically edited plants could bring significant benefits to Europe’s food security and competitiveness. Modern genomic techniques allow for the design or improvement of plant traits, increasing resistance to disease, drought, and floods, and improving the nutritional value of crops.
Bayer and other biotech companies emphasize that a lack of access to NGT could weaken Europe’s position in the global market. “While the US and China are rapidly developing genome editing, the EU’s share of research and investment is declining. Favorable regulations are crucial to closing the innovation gap,” says a Bayer spokesperson.
NGT Plant Category Division
The European Commission has proposed two levels of regulation for genetically edited plants:
Category 1: plants similar to those obtained by traditional breeding methods – exempt from GMO regulations;
Category 2: all other NGT plants – subject to full GMO regulations.
This distinction has sparked controversy. Critics point to a lack of transparency for consumers, the potential loss of states’ right to ban cultivation, and the issue of patenting. MEPs introduced a patent ban for Category 1 to protect farmers from seed monopolization by multinational companies.
Polish compromise
Poland’s proposal seeks to strike a balance between innovation and access to breeding material. The proposal distinguishes between patenting technological processes and patenting plant characteristics. Member states also gain the ability to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of Category 1 plants.
“We want to strike the right balance between protecting technological innovation and the freedom of breeding,” the diplomat emphasizes.
Opinions of experts and non-governmental organizations
Opinions remain divided. Mute Schimpf of Friends of the Earth Europe points to a clear blocking minority, comprising France, Germany, Romania, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovakia.
Critics emphasize that the project fails to address the risk to Category 1 plants or assess the impact on farmers and breeders’ access to genetic material. Nina Holland of the Corporate Europe Observatory warns that the lack of a risk assessment could increase corporate dominance in the food chain and limit crop diversity.
Challenges for the Livestock Industry
Breeders point out that the goal should be to maximize the dissemination of innovations with the lowest transaction costs. Petra Jorasch of Euroseeds warns that the option for Member States to opt out of Category 1 could block breeders and farmers from accessing NGT innovations.
The Future of NGT Deregulation in Europe
The Polish presidency is striving for a compromise, but the topic remains controversial. Key issues include patenting, member states’ right to ban cultivation, food safety, and plant diversity. Successful reform could pave the way for modern agriculture in Europe, increasing competitiveness and food security.
Experts agree that deregulating genetically modified plants in Europe requires caution, but also presents an opportunity for the development of modern biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.
