With the clock ticking to reach an agreement before the end of the legislature, the European Parliament has approved its amendments to the highly controversial new rules for New Genomic Technologies (NGTs), Euractiv reports.

Cross-Party Majority

The text was passed by the plenary with 307 votes in favor, 263 against, and 41 abstentions, with a cross-party majority supporting the proposal to establish a new framework for NGTs, which currently fall under the stricter framework for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Members of the center-right European People's Party (EPP) and the liberal Renew group largely supported the text, while the Greens and the Left almost unanimously rejected it. Votes from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) were divided based on geography.

Many Socialists from Southern Europe - unlike their counterparts from the North - supported the law, while a number of ECR and EPP MEPs from Eastern European countries - unlike other nationalities - voted against.

Two Categories

Lawmakers agreed to create two categories of NGTs:

-Genetically modified plants that cannot be distinguished from those obtained through conventional breeding (NGT 1), which would be exempt from GMO legislation requirements, and

-Those with "more complex modifications" (NGT 2), which should adhere to stricter rules.

MEPs want all NGT products to have mandatory labeling. In contrast, in the Commission's proposal, NGT plant labeling was limited to seeds.

According to the EU executive, MEPs voted to keep all NGTs out of organic production "because their compatibility requires further analysis."

While the Commission left the patent issue unanswered, MEPs agreed to introduce a total ban on patents for NGTs "to avoid legal uncertainties, increased costs, and new dependencies for farmers and breeders."

A Matter of Days

The ball is now in the EU Council's court. Hours after the European Parliament vote, EU member states attempted but failed to reach an agreement, as they remain divided on the patentability of NGTs.

"There was not enough support for a qualified majority, so Coreper [the assembly of EU ambassadors] could not endorse the negotiating mandate at this stage," EU sources told Euractiv. "The presidency will look into the situation in the coming days and see how work will continue."

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the Belgian Presidency of the Council introduced some changes to strengthen the patent provisions that Spain proposed in December when it held the rotating presidency.

Despite the changes made to the compromise text, member states' positions were substantially the same as in the December Council, Euractiv understands.

EU agriculture ministers have failed to find a position on the EU's plans to relax rules on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) as thorny issues such as coexistence with organic farming and patentability continue to divide European countries.

Pascal Canfin, chair of the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI), told Euractiv that if EU countries do not reach an agreement in the "coming days," it is highly unlikely that the legislation will be approved before the EU elections in June.

Mixed Reactions

The European Seed Association Euroseeds celebrated the outcome, calling it "a significant step forward for innovation and agricultural sustainability in Europe."

Similarly, the European Farmers Association COPA-COGECA said NGTs would help agriculture "reconcile production and adaptation to climate change" and that treating them as GMOs is "scientifically and agriculturally outdated."

Meanwhile, Greenpeace activist Eva Corral said there is "no credible evidence that [NGTs] can withstand the impact of climate change."

The NGO Friends of Earth Europe acknowledged "the Parliament's attempt to limit patents" on NGTs, but said farmers and breeders will still be exposed "to legal violations" by agribusiness corporations. (Photo: Freepik)