The European Parliament has approved a new regulatory framework for plants developed through certain New Genomic Techniques, marking a significant step for plant breeding and agricultural innovation across Europe.
The vote upheld the provisional agreement reached in December 2025 between Parliament and the Council by rejecting amendments that sought to revisit key parts of the compromise. Parliament did not secure enough support to alter or reject the Council’s position, allowing the agreement to move forward.
The regulation establishes a science-based framework for the use of NGTs in plant breeding, aimed at balancing innovation with transparency, legal certainty and regulatory oversight.
A key feature of the legislation is the distinction between Category 1 NGT plants and other NGT-derived products. Category 1 plants are defined as those that could also occur naturally or be developed through conventional breeding methods. Under the new rules, these plants will face less stringent oversight than other genomic products, which will remain subject to more extensive pre-market review.
The framework aligns with conclusions from scientific bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority, which has determined that Category 1 NGT plants carry risk profiles comparable to conventionally bred crops.
Supporters of the regulation say the new rules could accelerate the development of crop varieties with stronger resistance to pests and diseases, greater tolerance to climate stress, improved nutritional traits and reduced dependence on agricultural inputs.
Those advances are expected to support more sustainable production systems while helping breeders respond to mounting challenges tied to climate change, supply chain pressures and global food security.
EU-SAGE, a network of scientists and research institutions focused on genome editing in agriculture, said the outcome reflects years of scientific review and policy discussions.
The organization has been active throughout the legislative process, advocating for regulations that it says reflect scientific evidence while providing a practical path for innovation. Earlier this week, the group urged lawmakers to support the negotiated compromise and avoid reopening the text, arguing that further delays could slow research and breeding efforts.
The legislative process behind the regulation has stretched over more than a decade, shaped by scientific assessments, public consultations and policy negotiations. During that time, researchers from more than 150 scientific organizations and institutes across 25 European countries contributed expertise through the EU-SAGE network.
The final vote comes as plant breeding technologies continue to advance globally, increasing pressure on Europe to establish clear rules for research and commercialization.
For Europe’s plant science sector, the regulation provides long-awaited clarity and a framework for implementation as breeders and researchers look to apply genomic tools to improve crop resilience, productivity and sustainability.
Source: EU-SAGE, "European Parliament confirms NGT compromise agreement: a landmark decision for science, innovation and sustainable agriculture in Europe"