New Genetic Techniques (NGT): A Step Towards an Uncertain Future

As informed consumers, we make conscious choices every time we shop. We ask: Is our fruit and vegetable locally grown? Is it seasonal? Was it cultivated using organic or biodynamic methods? How was it processed? As gardeners, we deliberately choose open-pollinated, organic, or biodynamic seeds, embrace composting as part of the circular economy, and opt for manual weeding instead of resorting to chemical-synthetic herbicides.

Why do we go to this extra effort and pay a premium for our food?
The answer is simple: we want to know where our food comes from, have a say in its growth and conditions, and aim to reduce dependency on annual seed purchases, environmentally harmful transport, and the unpredictable food industry.

On July 5, 2023, the European Commission introduced a proposal to relax the EU's genetic engineering legislation. This would exclude plants whose genomes have been altered using New Genetic Techniques (NGTs)—including the highly controversial CRISPR/Cas9 technology—from being classified under genetic engineering regulations.

No Traceability – No Choice

The current EU genetic engineering legislation mandates traceability and labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from farm to fork. Without labeling and comprehensive risk assessment, genetically modified seeds and plants could soon make their way into our gardens, fields, markets, and plates—bringing unpredictable consequences for the environment, biodiversity, plant breeding, and agriculture.

NGTs might soon bypass genetic engineering laws, potentially paving the way for unregulated and uncontrollable entry onto our tables—affecting countless aspects across various levels.

If you would like to learn more about this topic and its implications, stay informed through trusted resources and share this knowledge to promote awareness of the choices we face for the future of sustainable agriculture.