The European Parliament has adopted rules on new genomic techniques (NGTs).

It expects these new rules will help in "facilitating access to new plants that are climate and pest resistant, give higher yields and require fewer pesticides".

The amended rules for NGTs were provisionally agreed between the European Parliament and Council in December 2025.

The new EU rules mark a shift towards regulating plants on the basis of what they finally look like genetically and not how they were made.

New genomic techniques

NGT-altered plants are to be split into two categories with different legal obligations.

NGT-1 - this category is for plants with a limited number and type of changes that could have occurred through conventional breeding. Once it has been verified that they meet the criteria for NGT-1 status, they will be treated like conventional plants.

Based on a request by the European Parliament, plants engineered for herbicide-tolerance or to produce insecticidal substances cannot become NGT-1 plants.

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

The rules will apply both to plants originating in Europe and to those imported.

Several products made from NGT plants are already available on the market or in advanced development outside the EU.

Examples include low-gluten wheat, pathogen-resistant potatoes, and drought-tolerant maize.

Traceability

Full traceability and labelling will remain obligatory for NGT-2 plants and EU countries may restrict or prohibit their cultivation even if authorised for cultivation in the EU.

Plant varieties containing or derived from an NGT-1 plant will be listed in a public EU database and all seed bags and reproductive material must be labelled NGT-1, to allow farmers to make an informed choice.

To steer the use of NGTs towards developing plants with sustainability features (e.g. climate and pest resistance), the regulation makes it mandatory to monitor the sustainability impacts of NGT plants.

Organic plants

No NGTs will be allowed in organic production but the technically unavoidable presence of NGT-1 plants would not constitute non-compliance.

The European Commission will assess whether this regulation creates any administrative, economic, or practical burdens for organic operators, including relating to their own perception and that of consumers.

It will be possible to patent NGTs, except for those traits or sequences occurring in nature or produced by biological means.

MEPs have inserted safeguards to prevent market concentration, and to ensure affordability and fair access for farmers, so they retain the right to save and replant seeds.

Innovation

After the vote, rapporteur Jessica Polfjard said: “This is a historic victory for Europe's farmers and Europe's future.

"By approving the use of NGTs, we have chosen innovation, competitiveness, and food security.

"By making these safe, science-based breeding technologies available, parliament is delivering for European farmers, safeguarding our food security, and building a more competitive and innovative Europe."

The regulation will enter into force 20 days after it has been published in the EU Official Journal and will apply two years later.

'Landmark'

Copa and Cogeca, which represents farm organisations and agricultural co-operatives around Europe, has welcomed the final approval of the new rules on new genomic techniques.

It said this is a "landmark decision that opens the door to the next generation of crop varieties for European agriculture".

"Farmers support the new framework, expected to accelerate the development of improved plant varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, better adapted to climate stress such as drought and heat, and capable of delivering more stable and higher yields," it said.

"At a time when European agriculture faces increasing climate, environmental and market challenges, access to better-performing crop varieties is essential to ensure food security, sustainability and competitiveness."

With the legislative process now completed, Copa and Cogeca said that attention must turn to the European Commission, which will be responsible for preparing the implementing acts, guidance and code of conduct necessary for the practical application of the regulation.

"Copa and Cogeca call for a timely, pragmatic and science-based implementation process developed in close consultation with farmers, cooperatives, breeders and the wider agri-food chain."