b"research and development. Plant breeders must take responsi- increase and environmental resource use efficiency growth, a bility by increasing their investment into innovation. They mustlegal setting that encourages development should be established. not only target higher harvestable yields but also other charac- New plant breeding technologies constitute a diverse group of teristics of a plant. These include pest and disease resistance,techniques, each of which can be used in various ways to achieve other agronomic traits, product quality, crop adaptation, anddifferent results and products. Therefore, safety considerations genetic diversity as well as orphan crops. depend on the individual technique, how it is used and the characteristics of the resulting product. Thus, these must be PUBLIC AND POLICY SUPPORT IS A MUST determined on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, expert opinions Plant breeders in the private and public science sector are cer- consider that genetically and phenotypically similar products tainly willing and have the tools to implement this. Yet, successderiving from the use of different techniques are not expected does not depend on science alone. It is also influenced by socialto present significantly different risks. EU policy makers and acceptance and policy decisions. To encourage plant breedersregulators should take this into consideration when discussing to further invest in the development of new and better seedspotential future regulatory options.as well as the necessary sophisticated breeding technologies, appropriate policy decisions and public support are a must.CONGENIAL PARTNERSSupport should include strengthening fundamental research inWe have shown that plant breeding in the EU has made and will plant breeding and making evidence-based policy decisions forcontinue making important contributions towards sustainable regulating. agriculture in the future. Meeting sustainability criteria is espe-In this respect, our study should be considered an initialcially important due to the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strate-step in supporting and motivating this public and policy debate.gies. In this respect, plant breeding and these two strategies may However, further interdisciplinary research and evidence-basedbe considered congenial partners that depend on each other and information campaigns need to follow and should be supportedmay reinforce each other's positive effects. In other words, the by policy makers and other public decision-makers, includingobjectives of the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies and, scientists. hence, the European Green Deal can hardly be achieved in the future without accelerated plant breeding in the EU. To credit ENABLING INVESTMENT this importance, European plant breeders must be increasingly A proportionate and result-focussed regulatory framework isrecognised by policy makers, regulators, and society as support-needed to establish clear and sustainable rules for the Europeaners of sustainable development in agriculture and beyond. plant breeding sector. Instead of delaying or even hindering European plant breeders in their investment in the necessaryEditors Note: Steffen Noleppa is Managing Director of HFFA resources for urgently needed future economic productivityResearch GmbH, in Germany.RZN-adv-seedworld-wt3-210408.indd 1 08/04/2021 17:02EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 21"