b"Meeting Todays AgriculturalFocussing on InnovationChallengesThe European seed sector is the founda-New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) aretion of our agriculture and plays a crucial revolutionizing agriculture and foodrole in the future of our food security. As security in Europe. From my doctoralone of the most innovative areas in agri-studies, I understand the intricacies ofculture, it is key in developing new plant gene manipulation very well. NGTs arevarieties that are more resistant to pests particularly promising because theyand better adapted to climate change. enhance traits like climate resilienceInnovative breeding techniques are PETER LIESE,and pest resistance without introducingNORBERT LINS, central to achieving our ambitious climate MEP Group of theany foreign geneschanges that couldMEP Group of thegoals and sustainable agriculture without European People'soccur naturally but much more slowly.European People'scompromising plant health. It is important Party (ChristianWith the new rules, we can ensure safetyParty (Christianthat we keep focussing on innovation. As Democrats),and consumer choice with transparentDemocrats),a Member of the European Parliament, I Member of thelabelling and by allowing the organicChair of theam committed to ensuring that the seed Committee onsector to opt out. NGTs will be take anDelegation tosector receives the necessary support the Environment,important role in agriculture, as they offerthe Cariforum-EUto drive these important innovations Climate andprecise improvements, leveraging naturalParliamentaryforward, thus making a significant con-Food Safety andgenetic variations without significant risksCommittee, Vice- tribution to sustainable and future-proof Member of theto human health or the environment. ItChair of the AGRIEuropean agriculture.Committee onwill be vital for our farmers to be able toCommittee on Public Health. use these advanced techniques to meetAgriculture and todays agricultural challenges effectively. Rural Development and Member of the CPDE Conference of From Challenge to Opportunity:Delegation ChairsReinventing the CAPWe are living in a constantly evolving and increasingly complex global landscape, marked by climate crises, economic insta-bility, and geopolitical tensions that poseAdvancing NGTsrisks to the European agricultural sector.I have always been committed to ensur-The new Common Agricultural Policying that Sweden and Europe remain (CAP) must address these challengespioneers in research and innovation, DARIOwith concrete actions that ensure the eco- with the agricultural sector being no NARDELLA, nomic and environmental sustainability ofexception. This is why I undertook the MEP Group ofour farms. A key priority is the preserva- mission of advancing New Genomic Socialists andtion of direct payments, which play a vitalTechniques (NGTs) for European farmers Democrats, S&Drole in safeguarding farmers incomes.in the European ParliamentCoordinator ofEqually important is the development ofJESSICANGTs in agriculture is crucial the Committee onfinancial instrumentssuch as insurancePOLFJRD,for the future of farming. With it, we Agriculture andschemes and mutual fundsto help theGroup of thecan make our crops more resilient to Rural Developmentsector withstand unexpected climate-re- European People'sclimate change, reduce the need for at the Europeanlated and market shocks. Looking ahead,Party (Christianplant protection products and fertilizers, Parliament the next CAP must actively promote theDemocrats),and enhance the competitiveness of adoption of innovative technologies,Member of theEuropean farmersall while lowering ensuring that small-scale farmers haveCommittee onemissions. At the same time strengthen access to advanced solutions. This willthe Environment,European food security and self-suffi-not only enhance the competitiveness ofClimate andciency.European agriculture but also strengthenFood Safety andI hope the Council will take its posi-its resilience for future generations. ByMember of thetion swiftly, so that our farmers can ben-taking these steps, we can transformCommittee onefit from this technology and ensure that todays challenges into opportunities andPublic Health Europe remains a leader in innovation.reinforce Europes position as a global leader in sustainable and technologically advanced agriculture.MAY 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 17"