“New Genomic Techniques: Members of European Parliament back rules to support green transition of farmers”... but puts a ban on patents on NGT plants...
As already reported recently, the MEP’s propose to simplify the regulations for bringing certain NGT plants to the market but at the same time advocates “a full ban on patents for all NGT plants, plant material, parts thereof, genetic information and process features they contain, to avoid legal uncertainties, increased costs and new dependencies for farmers and breeders.”
This is a very worrying development since it risks pushing innovation in the NGT plant field out of Europe, contrary to the objective of making “the food system more sustainable and resilient by developing improved plant varieties that are climate resilient, pest resistant, and give higher yields or that require fewer fertilisers and pesticides”.
The press release can be found here.
The EP is now ready to start negotiations with EU member states and the European Commission on the final law, and intends to push this through prior to the European elections.
We will of course continue to follow this up closely.
In case of any questions, do not hesitate to contact our experts at info@dcp-ip.com.