New genomic techniques: MEPs adopt new rules in plenary session

Legislation on new genomic techniques (NGT), “facilitating access to new plants that are climate and pest resistant, give higher yields and require fewer pesticides”, has been adopted by the European Parliament during its plenary session on 17/06/2026 in Strasbourg.

According to the adopted text, plants modified using NGTs will be classified into two categories, each subject to different legal requirements :

• NGT-1: plants with a limited number and type of changes that could have occurred through conventional breeding will be treated as conventional plants. Following a request of the Parliament, plants engineered for herbicide-tolerance or to produce insecticidal substances cannot become NGT-1 plants.

• NGT-2: plants that have undergone more extensive or complex genetic modifications. These are covered by the existing GMO rules and will be subject to risk assessment. They must obtain an authorisation before being commercialised in the EU.

Whilst the rapporteur, Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, Sweden) welcomes “a historic decision for European agriculture”, the Greens view it as a…