EU judges: DNA technique in plant breeding not subject to strict criteria

The current European GMO regulation imposes many restrictions on genetic changes in plant and food species because the possible health consequences for humans and animals cannot be conclusively ruled out as risk-free. Environmental organizations believe that every DNA modification in plant breeding should fall under these strict rules, but the EU judges reject this.

Chemically or physically induced changes remain part of the current rules for conventional breeding. It does not matter whether the mutation took place in the plant or in the cell. 

Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) is pleased with the judicial ruling. “This is exactly what SGP wants, namely that new breeding techniques are not subject to GMO restrictions. This ruling speeds up breeding. Moreover, it is also an important and positive first step towards better breeding of plants, including the Crispr-Cas technique.

That can lead to crops that are better suited for, for example, climate change or require fewer plant protection products,” Ruissen said in response to questions from Nieuwe Oogst.

The European agricultural umbrella organizations Copa and Cogeca also welcome the ruling on ‘in vitro’ random mutagenesis. According to them, European agriculture must gain access to the benefits of innovation to become more sustainable. Plant breeders should be able to use certain techniques, reducing their development time by about 10 years.