OCTOBER 2026  |  SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE  I  SEED WORLD EUROPE   I   71
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
GLOBAL SEED WATCH
CHINA IMPLEMENTS EDV SYSTEM AND SAUDI ARABIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW 
GENOME-ENGINEERING METHOD.
STATUS SAUDI ARABIA
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology 
(KAUST) have developed a genome-engineering method that 
inserts large pieces of genetic information into specific locations 
within plant genomes.
Published in Nature Biotechnology, the approach was demon­
strated in tobacco and rice. Unlike many existing techniques, it does 
not require scientists to break the plant’s DNA before introducing 
new genetic material.
While CRISPR has made targeted gene editing more effi­
cient, accurately inserting large genes or multiple genetic elements 
remains difficult. The new method could help researchers develop 
plants with complex traits, including improved resilience to heat, 
drought and disease.
It could also support the use of plants as scalable platforms 
for producing medicines, vaccines and other biologics. Although 
still at the research stage, the technology provides scientists with 
a new tool for agricultural biotechnology, synthetic biology and 
plant-based manufacturing. 
STATUS CHINA
China has put its essentially derived variety (EDV) system into 
operation, strengthening the protection of plant breeders’ rights. 
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs published the coun­
try’s first EDV implementation catalogue on July 27, 2026, cover­
ing rice, wheat, cotton, oilseed rape, groundnut, Chinese cabbage, 
pepper, millet, faba bean and peach.
MARA also released determination guidelines, crop-specific 
thresholds, testing requirements and a list of 28 recommended 
organizations with molecular or phenotypic testing capabilities.
The framework preserves the breeder’s exemption, allowing 
protected varieties to be used for breeding and research without 
permission. However, if a resulting variety is determined to be 
essentially derived, its commercial exploitation requires consent 
from the rights holder of the initial variety.
The measures are significant for European breeders with pro­
tected varieties, licensing agreements or commercial activities in 
China. Genetic distance, parentage, breeding records and licensing 
terms may now carry greater importance. With crop-specific thresh­
olds and testing organizations established, China’s EDV provisions 
have moved from legislation into practical implementation.

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