KEOSOE: Genetic improvement of grapevines is taking shape in Europe

The European Union is in the process of regulating new genomic techniques (NGT) in vineyards, with the Council and Parliament starting negotiations on the final version of the text. The regulation will categorize NGT plants into two groups, each with different rules. NGT 1 plants will be considered equivalent to conventional plants and exempted from GMO legislation, while NGT 2 plants will continue to be subject to it. Member states have expressed opposition to NGTs in organic production and the creation of herbicide-resistant plants, and are pushing for the right to ban NGT 2 plants on their territory and prevent cross-border contamination. A group of experts will also be created to study the impact of patenting genomic techniques and traits transmitted to plants on seed availability and Europe's competitiveness in plant breeding. Copa and Cogeca and the Assembly of European Wine Regions have expressed support for the initiative, hoping it will enhance European seed and plant production and offer new opportunities for farmers.

As KEOSOE points out, the representatives of the Member States of the European Union are proceeding with the proposed regulation on new genomic techniques (NGT) on changes that also concern vineyards. And it adds: The Council and the Parliament will now begin negotiations on the final version of the text. The permanent representatives of the Member States (Coreper), responsible for preparing the work of the Council of the European Union, met on March 14 to proceed with the proposal for a European regulation on plants obtained using new genomic techniques (NGT). Last year, MEPs approved the creation of two categories of NGT plants, each of which has its own rules. NGT 1 plants will be considered equivalent to conventional plants and will be exempted from the requirements of the legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while NGT 2 plants will continue to be subject to them, with mandatory labelling of the products. It should be noted that member states oppose the ...