2023-07-05 12:38:48
Wednesday, 07/05/2023, 12:38 p.m
The European Commission’s legislative proposal for new genetic engineering envisages a simpler use of mutation processes. While the Greens view the whole thing with “concern”, Global2000 gives the draft a clear rebuff.
Vienna – The strict rules for genetically modified plants in Europe are shaky. After years of discussions, the EU Commission presented new plans on Wednesday for a much more relaxed approach to the new genetic engineering in agriculture. These allow simpler use of mutation processes, for example with the CRISPR/Cas gene scissors, and genetically modified plants no longer have to be labeled as such. One of the aims is to be able to grow crops more quickly once morest a lack of water or pests.
According to the EU Commission’s proposal, modified plants should be divided into two categories. Both should have different requirements in order to get onto the market.
Plants comparable to naturally occurring ones
The first category includes plants that are comparable to naturally occurring plants. Their genetic modifications might also occur naturally.
Plants in the first category would be subject to a review process. According to the proposal, if they meet certain criteria, they are considered normal plants and no longer fall under the requirements of the current EU Genetic Engineering Directive.
Plants with more complex changes in the genome
Plants in the second category, on the other hand, would undergo more extensive testing. Plants with more complex changes in the genome fall into the second category. As before, they would have to go through the extensive risk assessment procedures provided for in the current EU regulation.
Scientists have been pushing for a relaxation of the strict EU rules for so-called green genetic engineering for some time. Conversely, the plans in the area of so-called New Genetic Engineering (NGT) have already led to severe criticism from Austrian NGOs, for example. Critics fear that large corporations might gain even more control over food production.
????️ Videos | New draft law on genetic engineering
Please allow third-party content to load to watch this video from APA video platform (Data protection) to be able to watch.
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) spoke to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday of “really great concern” regarding the plans will fight,” she said.
Contest:
3 x Stand-Up-Paddle
Try TT-ePaper for 1€
The new genetic engineering regulations are part of the “Food and Biodiversity Package” presented by the EU Commission on Wednesday. It also contains legislative proposals on soil health and reforms to seed law and the Waste Framework Directive. EU states and the European Parliament must now discuss the proposals and work out a compromise.
The planned cuts make it impossible for consumers to know what they are buying and to make an informed purchasing decision.
Brigitte Reisenberger, GLOBAL 2000
However, the environmental organization Global2000 has given the EU Commission’s legislative proposal a clear rebuff. Brigitte Reisenberger, GLOBAL 2000 genetic engineering spokeswoman, was quoted as saying in a broadcast on Wednesday that this proposal endangers the environment and biodiversity by bringing untested new genetic engineering products onto our fields and plates.
According to the organization, relaxing the use of genetic engineering would only open up markets for agricultural companies and remove transparency for food retailers. “The planned cuts make it impossible for consumers to know what they are buying and to make an informed purchasing decision.” (TT.com, APA)
1688562843
#Strict #rules #wobble #Commission #significant #relaxation #genetic #engineering
