European Union: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

The European Union’s (EU) complex and lengthy policy framework for biotechnology creates a challenging environment for research and limits access to innovative tools for EU farmers. As such, the EU imports large amounts of genetically engineered (GE) feed and produces very few of its own GE crops. However, perceptions around newer techniques, such as genome editing, are shifting the dialogue. On April 29, 2021, the European Commission published its “Study on the status of new genomic techniques under Union law and in light of the Court of Justice ruling in Case C-528/16.” This study states that these newer techniques can contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, and the current “GMO Directive” is not “fit for purpose.” On September 24, 2021, the Commission launched a policy initiative to determine how to regulate these newer techniques, and a draft policy is targeted for 2023.