How New Genomic Techniques Can Boost Sustainability in Europe

More than 100 participants, including policymakers, growers, breeders, scientists and innovators, joined this webinar to explore how New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) can support Europe’s goals for sustainable agriculture.

Overview

The webinar took place at a crucial moment as the European Commission’s proposal on NGTs, adopted in July 2023, is under trilogue negotiation with the European Parliament and Council. Speakers provided updates on the policy process, presented concrete examples of crop improvements achieved through genome editing, and discussed how Europe can foster innovation while ensuring safety and sustainability.

Highlights

• An update from the European Commission (DG SANTE) on the NGT legislative process and related biotech strategies.
• Insights from the European seed sector on international regulatory trends and their implications for competitiveness.
• Scientific case studies demonstrating how genome editing accelerates the development of drought-tolerant maize and virus-resistant barley.

Key Takeaways

• Over 30 countries regulate genome-edited crops based on traits, while Europe’s restrictive GMO rules risk limiting competitiveness and innovation.
• The EU-SAGE database and the examples presented at the webinar show the benefits of genome editing for sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
• Concrete case studies in maize and barley show how genome editing can cut years off conventional breeding timelines.
• Better regulatory predictability is essential for allowing Europe to benefit directly from its own research.

Speakers and Presentations