The EU reaches an agreement on the use of new genomic techniques in plants and crops

European Parliament negotiators and member states of the European Union (EU) reached a provisional agreement during the early hours of Thursday to allow the cultivation and marketing of plants obtained through so-called new genomic techniques (NGT). These techniques, unlike other genetic modification methods (GMO) strictly regulated in the EU, consist of altering a part of the plant's DNA without introducing genetic material from another. In this way, it is considered that such modification could occur in nature or through conventional cultivation techniques. "The Regulation aims to improve the competitiveness of the agri-food sector and ensure a level playing field for European operators, while boosting food safety and reducing external dependency," pointed out the statement from the Council of the EU. The new rules, which have been agreed upon after more than two years of negotiations, will allow plants obtained through NGT and considered equivalent to conventional ones (NGT-1) ...