b'EUROPE CANT AFFORD TO FALL BEHIND: JESSICA POLFJRD ON THE EUS NGT TURNING POINTIN THIS INTERVIEW, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTS NGT RAPPORTEUR SHARES WHY INNOVATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND FARMER TOOLS MUST NOW MOVE FROM DEBATE TO DELIVERY.BY: MARCEL BRUINS, SEED WORLD EUROPE EDITORIAL DIRECTORSEEDWORLDEUROPE(SWE):food security and strengthening our com-WHY IT MATTERS JESSICA, CAN YOU TELL US A BITpetitiveness. Building a Europe that is open With the political agreement onABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND ANDto innovation and supportive of science has a new EU regulation for NewHOW YOU CAME TO BE INVOLVED INbeen one of my core priorities since I first Genomic Techniques (NGTs), EuropePOLITICS? WHAT WERE THE EXPERI- became an MEP.has reached a long-awaitedENCES THAT GUIDED YOU TO WHERENew Genomic Techniques have signif-milestone that could reshapeYOU ARE TODAY? icant potential to increase the EUs com-the future of plant breeding andJESSICA POLFJRD (JP): I have beenpetitiveness, while offering new solutions to innovation in the seed sector. Atinvolved in politics for many years, anenvironmental and social challenges. Today, the heart of this complex and oftenengagement that began already during myEuropean farmers are under growing pres-contentious process stood Jessicaschool years, driven by a desire to make asure to produce more food in a sustaina-Polfjrd, Member of the Europeandifference and allow everyone to reach theirble way, while facing increasing risks from Parliament (MEP) and rapporteurfull potential. I have been a politician ondroughts, floods and heatwaves.for the NGT dossier. As rapporteur,a local level, on a national level and nowTo meet these challenges, farmers need she carried the responsibility ofon a European level. I have seen first-handthe right tools. New Genomic Techniques steering a file that combinedwhat a difference politics can make, on allare modern, science-based methods that can cutting-edge science, deeply heldlevels, when politicians care. My goal hashelp develop more climate-resilient crops political views and a remarkablealways been to help shape policies in bothand reduce the need for pesticides. For too diversity of national interests. TheSweden and Europe that make our socie- long, the EUs regulatory framework has task required not only technicalties safer, freer, and greener. My experiencesbeen stifling the use of new technology. understanding, but also resilience,in Sweden showed me the importance ofModernising EU legislation in this area diplomacy and a willingness toEuropean cooperation. Thats why I choseis therefore crucial to support farmers and keep talking when compromiseto run for the European Parliament, andsecure a stable and sustainable food supply. seemed out of reach. Under herwhy I am grateful for the opportunities to guidance, the Parliament was ablemake a difference that I have today. SWE: THE NGT FILE HAS BEEN HIGHLY to find common ground and moveCOMPLEX POLITICALLY AND TECHNI-the dossier towards a successfulSWE: WHAT DREW YOU TO TAKE ONCALLY, WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF STAKE-conclusion. This article exploresTHE NEW GENOMIC TECHNIQUESHOLDERS. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE the personal journey, motivationsDOSSIER AS RAPPORTEUR, AND WHYBIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACED IN and determination behind thatDO YOU BELIEVE IT WAS IMPORTANTGETTING TO A SUCCESSFUL PROVI-achievement. We spoke with JessicaFORTHEEUTOMODERNISEITSSIONAL AGREEMENT?Polfjrd about how she came toAPPROACH IN THIS AREA? JP: The negotiations were indeed complex, politics, why she chose to take onJP: Today, Europe faces many challenges.both politically and technically, with dif-the NGT file, and what it took toClimate change and environmental issues,ferent views. One of the main challenges keep the process moving forward.an economy that needs reforms for increasedwas keeping the discussion grounded in Her story offers a rare insight intogrowth and a more hostile geopolitical sit- scientific evidence, as parts of the debate how European legislation is shapeduation. In this context, I strongly believewere driven by scepticism towards newand how perseverance can makethat science and innovation are essentialtechnologies and a lack of understanding the difference. to delivering the green transition, tacklingof the science, which could at times be quite climate change, safeguarding Europeanfrustrating, as the science is clearly on the 4ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | FEBRUARY 2026'