European Union: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

The European Union’s (EU) complex and lengthy policy framework for biotechnology creates a challenging environment for research and limits access to innovative tools for EU farmers. As such, the EU imports large amounts of genetically engineered (GE) feed and produces very few of its own GE crops. However, the global crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may lead to a more pragmatic approach towards biotech. Also, perceptions around newer techniques, such as genome editing, are shifting the dialogue. On April 29, 2021, the European Commission (EC) published a study promoting these newer techniques as a potential tool to achieve the ambitious targets of the European Green Deal’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. As the study found that the current “GMO Directive” is not “fit for purpose”, on September 2021, the EC launched a policy initiative to determine how to regulate these newer techniques. A draft policy is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023.