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9. Dec. 2025
On 4 December 2025, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement on the regulation of new genomic techniques (NGTs) in plants. The goal is to support the development of plant varieties better equipped to cope with drought, diseases, and extreme weather, while maintaining high levels of safety for consumers and the environment. Under the agreement, plants classified as NGT-1 will be considered equivalent to conventionally bred plants, as the genetic changes involved are small and can also occur naturally.
Below is an expert reaction from Dr. Hélène Robert Boisivon, Research Group Leader at CEITEC Masaryk University, whose research focuses on plant development and the biological mechanisms that control growth and reproduction.
Statement by Dr. Hélène Robert Boisivon
“New genomic techniques are not a leap into the unknown. In essence, they allow us to do – precisely and quickly – what plants already do by themselves: they naturally alter their DNA through small mutations. Such changes occur constantly in nature, just randomly. With today’s tools, we can guide these changes in a targeted way, without introducing genes from unrelated organisms. For plants classified as NGT-1, we are not dealing with genetically modified organisms in the traditional sense.
For Europe, this is a significant step forward. With carefully targeted edits, we can develop plant varieties that withstand drought, extreme temperatures, or attacks by pathogens much more effectively. This matters at a time when farmers face increasing climate variability and when the EU is seeking to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilisers. These techniques help us design solutions that are both environmentally responsible and beneficial for society.
It is also important to reassure the public: NGT-1 plants do not pose new types of risks. The changes made are small, precise, and comparable to what could occur naturally over time. The new EU framework ensures transparency, monitoring, and safety at every step. Public concerns about genetic manipulation are understandable – which is exactly why we must explain that, in this case, we are not ‘rewriting’ plants, but making careful use of the mechanisms they already possess.”
Key Takeaways for Journalists
- NGT-1 plants are not GMOs in the traditional sense – the genetic changes are minor and can occur naturally.
- These techniques can accelerate the development of crops resilient to drought, heat, and diseases.
- Research at CEITEC MU helps uncover how plants respond to stress, supporting sustainable agriculture.
- The EU framework preserves high safety and transparency standards for all NGT applications.
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