Plant ETP welcomes the positive vote in COM ENVI on the NGT proposal

Press release

24^th January 2024

Plants for the Future ETP welcomes the positive vote by the EU Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the legislative proposal for plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques

Today an essential milestone in the initiative to adopt new legislation for plants obtained through certain new genomic techniques (NGTs), was reached. The positive vote, from the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, on the amended proposal from the EU Commission (47 in favour, 31 against and 4 abstentions), sets the scene for a vote in plenary on 7^th February. Plants for the Future (Plant ETP) would like to thank rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd and the supporting shadow rapporteurs, for the hard work they have put in so far.

Plant ETP welcomes the progress made in the EU Parliament and looks forward to the vote in plenary. Meanwhile, Plant ETP will continue supporting policymakers by providing science-based recommendations, facts and perspectives from the agri-food players that will be directly impacted by the final legislation.

“We hope that in the coming month, the EU Parliament with reach a positive vote in plenary, and that the EU Council will reach a common approach. If this happens, there is a real possibility that a final legislative text could be agreed before the Parliamentary elections in Spring. This would remove a major barrier for European breeders, farmers and researchers, allowing access to safe and innovative tools, thereby enabling breeding to better contribute towards more sustainable agri-food systems and the EU Green Deal goals.” explains Amrit Nanda, Executive Manager of Plant ETP.

Download the Press Release here