The European Parliament is set to take a significant step this week in the evolution of European agricultural policy. MEPs are examining a proposal to authorize the use of plants produced using new genomic techniques (NGT), a technology touted by its proponents as a tool to address the climate and health challenges facing agriculture.
Unlike the transgenic GMOs developed since the 1990s, these new techniques allow for the modification of certain genes in a plant without introducing DNA from another species. Proponents of the legislation believe these varieties could be more resistant to drought and disease, and require fewer pesticides. In a context marked by climate change and water scarcity, these arguments resonate with a large number of European elected officials.
A battle over agricultural patents
While the principle of authorization now seems largely accepted in the European Parliament, the debate is focused on the issue of patents. Several elected officials and agricultural organizations fear that the development of these new seeds will further strengthen the dominance of large international seed companies at the expense of family farms.
Organizations representing organic farming, along with several minority agricultural unions, denounce the risk of increased dependence of farmers on patent holders. They are demanding stronger guarantees regarding seed traceability and protection for producers against potential market concentration.
Supporters of the legislation, on the other hand, maintain that the safeguards included will regulate these new practices. Certain applications will remain prohibited, notably plants engineered to resist herbicides or produce their own insecticides. Organic farming will also continue to exclude the use of NGTs.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.