EU food watchdog rejects concerns on gene-edited crops proposal amid Council deadlock
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has backed the European Commission’s criteria for relaxing rules on certain gene-edited foods, stating that they are scientifically justified. The Hungarian Council Presidency, however, is causing delays in the progress of the file.
EFSA’s assessment of a 2023 opinion by the French food safety agency (ANSES) raised concerns about the Commission’s criteria for categorizing crops produced using New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Under the Commission’s proposal, plants in the NGT 1 category would be exempt from strict GMO requirements, while those in the NGT 2 category would follow GMO regulations. EFSA supported the Commission’s standards based on the number of genetic modifications in the crop.
Despite EFSA’s approval, the Hungarian Council Presidency is seeking to revisit the file and restart discussions on aspects like the equivalence between NGT 1 and conventional crops. The presidency believes the Commission’s criteria may not be sufficient for establishing similarity between NGT 1 and traditional crops bred using conventional methods.
Furthermore, Hungary is reopening debates on labeling requirements and the co-existence of NGT crops with organic farming. The presidency is advocating for mandatory labeling rules for NGT 1 crops and highlighting challenges in separating gene-edited crops from organic production.
Overall, the Hungarian presidency’s move has been seen as a step backward and may hinder progress on the file in the Council. The presidency’s emphasis on revisiting key aspects of the proposal indicates unresolved questions that need further discussion among EU countries.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.