The European Parliament has adopted new rules for new genomic techniques (NGTs) that were provisionally agreed between the European Parliament and Council in December 2025. The legislation exempts NGTs from the risk assessment procedures and traceability and consumer labelling requirements. See the European Parliament press release: New genomic techniques for plants to boost innovation in sustainable agriculture.
IFOAM Organics Europe stated: “While this is a clear step back for biosafety, transparency and freedom of choice, the mobilisation of the organic sector has ensured that these “new GMOs” will remain banned in the organic production process, and that the presence of NGTs will have to be labelled on seed lots, which is the minimum to allow farmers not to plant NGT crops. However, these safeguards may prove insufficient if NGT cultivation expands, as the legal framework currently provides no coexistence measures to prevent contamination and preserve farmers’ freedom of choice.
“Organic operators are committed to doing everything that the legal framework and due diligence measures allow them to exclude NGTs from the organic production process.
“Like many scientists, civil society organisations, farmers, processors and retailers, the organic movement is convinced that the reductionist approach associated with genetic engineering will not deliver the benefits claimed by its proponents, and that a systemic approach to farming, breeding and pest and disease management in agroecosystems is more likely to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.
“In the short term, the biggest risk left unaddressed by this vote is the disruption of the European political economy and innovation in breeding, by patents on traits and genetic sequences, i.e. intellectual property rights that grant exclusive access to the patent holder and restrict the circulation of genetic resources, contrary to plant variety rights.
“The amendments proposed by the Green, Left and the S&D groups in the European Parliament aimed to strengthen safeguards against the harmful effects of patents on seeds and genetic resources, helping preserve fair competition, Europe’s diverse breeding sector and farmers’ freedom to operate. Failure to strengthen these safeguards risks undermining GMO-free farming – both organic and conventional – while increasing market concentration, dependencies and legal uncertainty for farmers and breeders.
“This concern is not limited to the organic sector. The week ahead of the plenary vote, the German organisations representing organic farmers (BÖLW) and conventional farmers (DBV) issued a rare joint appeal calling for stronger safeguards against the harmful effects of patents on seeds and genetic resources.
“At least policymakers have been warned, and politicians who chose to vote against measures to protect the European model of innovation in breeding, will be held accountable.
“The organic movement will continue to advocate for the need to limit the scope of patents so that the hundreds of small and medium-sized breeders have the freedom to continue their work. Safeguarding biodiversity and Europe’s breeding diversity is essential to protect European sovereignty and long-term food security. “
Source: IFOAM Organics Europe: https://www.organicseurope.bio/news/political-hotspot-june-2026-ngts-the-new-legislation/
