The soil health law is urgently needed, a good start but still too vague. The expansion of GMO techniques is both welcomed ('step forward') and rejected ('threat'), and its consequences remain unclear, it is heard.
Most notably are the reactions from EPP/CDA deputy group leader Esther de Lange and Jan Huitema (Renew-VVD), both of whom have so far been outspoken opponents of the nature restoration law from Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans. Both now also link the approval of Crispr-Cas and soil health to the Green Deal environmental package.
Earlier, De Lange accused Timmermans of 'blackmail' when he connected these issues. 'If you require farmers to further reduce their use of substances, then you must also give them the tools to protect their crops with fewer substances,' De Lange now says.
Jan Huitema (VVD, Renew) believes these proposals are very closely connected. 'Without new breeding techniques and alternative crop protection, we cannot properly work on the health of our soils.' Both thereby give the impression that they might support (a variant of) the nature restoration law next week in Strasbourg.
Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals) and Bas Eickhout (GreenLeft) are uneasy about removing the mandatory risk analysis for new gene-tech crops. ' Genetic modification actually leads to the use of much more pesticides. We really have to be careful that this does not lead to further intensification of agriculture while nature in Europe continues to decline. Innovation does not solve everything, but that is the message coming from this.' They also have concerns about possible patents on 'edited' food.
Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP/ECR) warns that no patents should be granted on plant material from Crispr-Cas variants. He points out that it concerns plant material that can also be achieved in nature through classical breeding. He also wants the full breeder's exemption to remain applicable.
Ruissen called the expansion of gene technology an important step forward; robust crops are important for food supply.
PvdA member Mo Chahim agrees with the soil restoration law of his party colleague Timmermans. 'Nothing grows on poor soil. It is therefore essential that soil conditions in Europe are improved.'
New GMO techniques can also play a role in our food security, especially now that Europe is increasingly facing extreme drought. 'Caution and a thorough assessment of the risks are needed,' Chahim stated.