During the ‘trilogue’ negotiations, i.e. negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Commission, EU representatives agreed to exempt almost all plants obtained from new genetic engineering (new genomic techniques, NGTs) from mandatory environmental risk assessment. Regulations on food labeling and traceability will no longer apply. Neither are they planning to introduce effective measures to stop patents on seeds. Today, this proposal also received majority support from EU member states in a trial vote, with the German government abstaining. The Parliament is expected to vote on it in early 2026.
According to Testbiotech, the new regulation would create the impression that certain rules and safety standards will continue to apply to the release of NGT plants. In reality, however, the industry is given carte blanche to bring their plants to market via a fast-track approval process, virtually disregarding the consequences for health or the environment. Approving this proposal would mean that the EU withdraws from its responsibilities to protect health and the environment, and instead leaves everything to free market forces.
There is still a chance that the Parliament will reject the proposal. On Testbiotech’s website, citizens can participate in a campaign to inform Members of Parliament about reasons to reject the agreement.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel + 49 151 54638040
Further information:
Briefing – Why plants obtained from new genetic engineering should not be deregulated