On 16 June 2026, the Greens/EFA group tabled five amendments to the European Parliament's second-reading recommendation on plants obtained by New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), proposing to significantly strengthen the regulatory framework. The amendments would expand labelling to all Category 1 NGT food and feed products, introduce mandatory document-based traceability, allow withdrawal of authorisations based on new risks, require member states to prevent unintended presence of Category 2 NGTs in non-GMO supply chains, and exclude NGT plants and genetic information from patentability under Directive 98/44/EC.
The amendments target the legislation that would establish two categories of NGT plants: Category 1 (equivalent to conventional breeding) and Category 2 (subject to GMO-like rules). The Greens/EFA proposals would tighten rules for Category 1 plants, which under the Council's position would face lighter requirements. Amendment 32 would replace the label 'NGT-1' with 'New Genomic Techniques' and extend labelling to all products containing Category 1 NGT plants, not just seeds. Amendment 33 would require operators to transmit and hold traceability information, including unique codes, at every supply chain stage, mirroring existing GMO rules. Amendment 34 would empower competent authorities to withdraw a Category 1 status determination if monitoring or new scientific data indicate a risk to health or the environment. Amendment 35 would oblige member states to take measures preventing unintended presence of Category 2 NGT plants in products not covered by the GMO Directives or the GM Food and Feed Regulation, addressing cross-contamination concerns for organic and conventional supply chains. Amendment 36 would amend Directive 98/44/EC to exclude NGT plants, plant material, parts, genetic information, and process features from patentability, aiming to prevent monopolies on NGT-derived traits and seeds.
The amendments are proposed ahead of the plenary vote on the second-reading recommendation, which will determine the Parliament's position for negotiations with the Council. The Greens/EFA group is pushing for a more precautionary approach, while other groups such as the EPP and Renew have generally supported a lighter regulatory touch for Category 1 NGTs. The patentability exclusion is particularly contentious, as it would directly affect the intellectual property regime for biotechnological inventions. If adopted, the amendments would increase compliance costs for seed producers and food manufacturers, particularly regarding traceability and labelling, but would provide greater transparency and choice for consumers and protect organic and conventional farmers from cross-contamination. The Council's position, adopted in 2025, does not include such stringent measures, making trilogue negotiations potentially difficult.
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