NGT update: Continuing to fight undaunted against the EU’s plans
NGT update: Continuing to fight undaunted against the EU’s plans
Slovakia intends to bring a case to the European Court of Justice challenging the EU regulation on the deregulation of new genomic techniques (NGT). The Federation of the Organic Food Industry (BÖLW), the Association for GMO-Free Food (VLOG) and other organisations critical of genetic engineering welcome the decision and consider it to have good prospects of success.
Slovakia plans to take legal action
There are two years left until the regulation comes into force – or until any opposition or legal action is taken – until July 2028. In early September, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, according to the state news agency Tasr, announced his intention to lodge a challenge against the deregulation with the European Court of Justice. He argued that the new regulation had triggered “many protests” and that there was “no evidence” that the public had “any cause for concern”. Tina Andres, chair of the leading organic trade association, commented: “The Slovak government would do well to listen to its civil society, which – ranging from the Slovak Academy of Sciences to associations in the agricultural and food sectors, right through to Greenpeace Slovakia – rejects the deregulation.” Experts consider the legal action to have a good chance of success, as it is proposed that risk assessments for NGT organisms be dispensed with – thereby disregarding the precautionary principle – and this also contradicts the European Court of Justice’s previous case law.
The organic and non-GMO sectors are prepared
The organic sector welcomes Slovakia’s challenge to the planned deregulation, not least because it would generate new costs and additional paperwork and bureaucracy.
The German and European organic and non-GMO sectors have announced that they will continue to refrain from using both NGT and other genetic engineering techniques. Certified companies will continue to supply the market with non-GMO food in the future. In any case, this will continue to be guaranteed at every stage of the value chain through the clear distinction between ‘with’ and ‘without’ genetic engineering, starting with the seed. For consumers, the removal of product labelling means that, when shopping, they will only be able to tell whether food has been produced without the use of genetic engineering by looking for ‘Non-GMO’ and organic labels.
The European Parliament clears the way for new genetic engineering
Just before the summer recess, on 17 June, the European Parliament took its final decision in favour of the Regulation on New Genomic Technologies (NGT). The new regulation permits the use of NGT in plant breeding without labelling on the end product; the use of new genetic engineering is to be indicated solely on the seeds. Sharp criticism, serious concerns and even legal opinions deeming the draft legislation unlawful – because, amongst other things, it contravenes the precautionary principle – were brushed aside. Tina Andres, Chair of BÖLW, explains: “We consider the European Parliament’s decision to deregulate genetic engineering to be wrong and unlawful: The NGT Regulation tramples on the precautionary principle, to which the EU Member States have contractually committed themselves”.
Author: Karin Heinze
Sources: BÖLW, VLOG
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