Euroseeds welcomes the Member States’ formal adoption of the Council’s first-reading position on the new Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), confirming the trilogue compromise agreed with the European Parliament in December last year.
This decision marks an important milestone in the legislative process and brings the file closer to final adoption, subject to confirmation of the compromise text by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee and plenary in the coming weeks.
Meeting in the Foreign Affairs Council, ministers followed COREPER’s recommendation of 15 April and approved the compromise text as an “A point” on 21 April 2026.
“This is another milestone for plant breeding innovation in and for Europe,” said Garlich von Essen, Secretary General and CEO of Euroseeds. “We are nearing the finish line of a long race for more technology openness, competitiveness and productivity in European agriculture.”
In a press release, Euroseeds stated they now look forward to the European Parliament’s final votes, first in the Environment Committee and subsequently in plenary, which would conclude the legislative procedure.
“We are confident that the compromise reached in trilogue will continue to be honoured by the European Parliament. Europe will then be ready to move forward with this important innovation framework,” von Essen added, noting that implementing and delegated acts will still be required.
Alongside the Council’s decision, the European Commission issued a formal declaration addressing key aspects of the compromise, notably on intellectual property protection and fair access to innovation.
Euroseeds will continue to engage constructively with stakeholders and regulators to support the effective implementation of these provisions and help unlock the full potential of NGTs for plant breeders, agriculture, competitiveness, and food security in Europe.
