b'BENEFIT TO EU GROWERS AND CONSUMERSEuropean growers and consumers would benefit from low-main-tenance plants with higher yields (higher incomes), products with better shelf-life due to the more favourable characteris-tics obtained, products with improved nutritional properties and composition (due to, for example, higher content of fibre, THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETYvitamins, proteins, starch, desired oil, etc.) or, conversely, safe products without undesirable ingredients (toxins, allergens, AUTHORITY (EFSA) CONCLUDEDgluten, etc.). NGTs are also a possible solution to the long-term underpro-THAT VARIETIES OBTAINED BYduction of protein feed in the EU. The EU imports up to 80 per NEW GENOMIC TECHNIQUEScent of its high protein feed (soya) from third countries (U.S., Brazil, Argentina). The EU has not yet authorised the cultivation CARRY THE SAME RISK PROFILE ASof any GM soya but is dependent on these imports.The European Commission plans to present a proposal PLANT VARIETIES PRODUCED BYfor legislation on new genomic techniques in mid-2023, which should consider new scientific knowledge and the current state CONVENTIONAL BREEDING. of technology. Some controversial issues remain to be resolved, such as whether to assess the method or rather the product of the method, the definition of the boundaries between conven-tional breeding, new genomic techniques and genetic modifi-cation, whether to maintain the breeder\'s exemption for new genomic techniques, the system of current legal protection for new varieties versus the patentability of technological innova-tion (possible introduction of antitrust protection), the system of evaluation and detection, the labelling of crops and products resulting from new genomic techniques, etc. classify as conventional. The advantage of new genomic tech- The intensity of support for new genomic techniques pro-niques, on the other hand, may be that, unlike older \'inexact\'jects linking science and agricultural practice, support for methods, changes are made to the plant genome in a deliberate,medium-sized companies, start-ups, etc. will also be important. targeted and more precise manner. Therefore, we can betterHowever, the way in which new genomic techniques are commu-assess and take responsibility for these changes and any risks.nicated to the public, both professional and lay, will be crucial.The benefits of these techniques for the EU\'s green strat-egy can certainly be environmental, health and economic, butNEW LEGAL FRAMEWORKultimately also socio-political. So far, scientists are only hintingThe Czech Republic supports the initiative to create a new legal at their potential.framework that would ensure legal certainty for all stakehold-Bioengineering in general, the new genomic techniques anders on the European market while not lowering European food the most widely used CRISPR/Cas system are of course alsosafety standards. The Czech Republic maintains continuity in finding applications in fields other than agriculture. In fact, plantits position regarding the maintenance of the breeding exemp-breeding represents only a small percentage of the total use oftion for plant varieties obtained through essentially biological these modern methods.breeding processes, based on the International Convention For example, new genomic techniques can be used to breedUPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties herbicide-resistant, pest-resistant, virus-resistant, fungus-re- of Plants) and European Regulation 2100/94. Currently, expert sistant, air-nitrogen-fixing plants. They can thus help to mini- meetings are being held at national level to discuss further devel-mize agricultural inputs (water, fertilizers, mechanization) andopments in this matter.the use of pesticides and herbicides. Growing such plants willIn any case, the Czech Republic wants to facilitate a thor-reduce negative environmental impacts (e.g., reduction of resi- ough discussion on this topic during the Czech Presidency and due deposition in the soil).is therefore organising an international scientific conference Breeding and cultivating plants with increased tolerance"European Agri-Food Sustainability & Innovation" in Prague to drought, higher or lower temperatures and their fluctuations,(28-29 November 2022), where, among other things, the issue salinization of the soil, or earlier or longer flowering times, forof new genomic techniques will be discussed.example, helps to cope successfully with climate change and other unfavourable agro-climatic conditions for growing certainEditors Note: Zden k Trnka is Director of the Department plants. It also contributes to water conservation and higher andof Plant Commodities of Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech more stable food production on increasingly valuable agricul- Republictural land.26IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'