Belgium supports the position of the majority of Member States in favour of establishing new European legislation on new genomic techniques (NGT), fully in line with the “Arizona” government agreement. This position was confirmed today at a “COREPER” meeting, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is responsible for preparing the work of the Council of the European Union.
Belgium recognises the need for a specific legislative framework for plants obtained through new genomic techniques.
NGTs are new varieties developed using genes already present within the same species, more quickly than so-called conventional breeding. The first category, NGT 1, is therefore identical to classic plant breeding and is not GMO. The NGT 2 category, on the other hand, covers new varieties considered to be GMOs and therefore subject to the same rules.
Belgium wants to ensure that this new regulatory framework takes environmental and health risks into account and guarantees free choice for stakeholders and consumers. That is why, alongside our support, we stressed the importance of continuing to work, within the trilogue with the European Parliament, on issues such as patents, traceability, user information and organic farming, as well as on pest-resistant varieties.
David Clarinval, federal Minister of Agriculture: “This proposal, which Belgium helped shape during its presidency in 2024, makes it possible to clarify the use of new genomic techniques in plant breeding. Let us recall that this involves developing new varieties using genes already present within the same species, more quickly than so-called conventional breeding; these are therefore not GMOs. I am confident that this progress will help us meet numerous challenges, such as reducing the need for pesticides or better responding to climate change.”
In the Arizona government agreement
The “Arizona” government agreement states that “the government will support the implementation of new technologies, encourage precision farming and promote products based on natural resources. Furthermore, it supports initiatives at European level that promote new genomic techniques in plant breeding, with the aim of a reduced carbon footprint, more efficient use of resources such as water and fertilisers, or a reduction in pesticide use.”
Today's position therefore fully aligns with the government agreement.