NGT: OPECST takes stock of the new European regulations

Since 2019, the European Union (EU) has been reviewing the European regulations that will apply to certain new varieties of genetically edited plants (i-e obtained with new genomic techniques, NGT). The process has proven not only lengthy, but also fraught with pitfalls, as I recently explained in this journal (1). It remains ongoing and has seen many twists and turns.

In France, the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices (OPECST), which assesses the consequences of scientific and technological choices in order to inform the French Parliament, is closely monitoring this process and has now decided to take stock of the latest developments in this ongoing debate.

OPECST’s works on genome editing : already in 2017, and later in 2021

 It is not the first time that NGTs have been addressed in the work of OPECST’. The first report was published in 2017 by Jean-Yves Le Déaut MP and Catherine Procaccia Senator, entitled “The targeted genome modification revolution (subtitle: The economic, environmental, health and ethical challenges of biotechnologies in the light of new avenues of research)” (2).  Spanning 366-pages, this landmark report was the result of extensive international field studies, round tables and expert hearings. At the time, it served as a pioneering reference on a then-emerging topic. 

During the following legislative term, Senator Catherine Procaccia continued the work begun on NGTs with MP Loïc Prudhomme (Jean-Yves Le Déaut had by then become an honorary member of parliament, thus concluding a distinguished career of over thirty years in the service of public policy!). A new report was published entitled ‘New plant breeding techniques in 2021: advantages, limits, acceptability’ (3). To produce this report, the authors convened several round tables in March 2021, bringing together stakeholders from both the scientific and societal spheres involved in the debate on NGTs.

 As a conclusion, the report emphasized the need to revise Directive 2001/18/EC.  It recommended that risk assessments of NGTs new products be based on their final characteristics rather than on the techniques used to develop them. It also proposed that the directive be reviewed every five years to reflect scientific advances and public discourse. The report further condemned anti-biotech vandalism in fields and laboratories, and expressed concerns over the challenges of conducting biotechnology research in France which has contributed to a brain drain. Finally, the report stressed ‘the need for intellectual property to guarantee good conditions for research and innovation – in this case plant breeding- in order to serve the public interest’.

 A recent scientific note in June 2025

In June 2025, the OPECST continued its monitoring efforts by publishing a new « Scientific Note from the Office » (no. 47) authored by MP Pierre Henriet, vice-president of OPECST, and Senator Martine Berthet (with Senator Catherine Procaccia having become an honorary parliamentarian in the meantime). Entitled ‘A new regulation for plants derived from new genomic techniques’ (4), this scientific note states that its purpose is motivated by the fact that, the European regulation in question is directly applicable at the EU level, without requiring national transposition—meaning it will not be subject to review by the French Parliament. In these circumstances, the Office considers it essential to fulfill its role as a source of information by presenting the scientific and regulatory background of new genomic techniques (NGTs), highlighting key points of contention within the text, and outlining the debates and speculation it has sparked.

After having interviewed more than 25 personalities and organizations, specialists and professionals from the biotechnology and seed sectors, the working committee led by the two parliamentarians set out to clarify the role of NGTs in plant breeding and the prospects they open up. The committee also examined the Commission’s proposals and the amendments adopted by Parliament. The note explores the debates about the extent of NGTs genetic modification  permitted within a genome  for a plant to qualify for the regulatory relief granted to plants meeting certain criteria (NGT-1 category). It also addresses the management of risks and traceability, given that certain NGTs genetic modifications carried out in the laboratory are indistinguishable from those resulting from natural genetic evolution in the field. Furthermore, the note pays close attention to the economic implications, particularly regarding patentability and intellectual property rights.

 In their recommendations, the MEPs underscore several conceptual shortcomings in the proposals put forward by European institutions and emphasize the importance of opening the EU market to New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). They call for concrete measures to support the development of new plant varieties created through these techniques, such as reintroducing field trials for NGT plants. These trials had previously been halted due to repeated acts of vandalism by anti-biotech environmental activists during GMO testing. The MEPs also endorse ANSES’s (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) recommendation to implement environmental post-marketing surveillance (5). They highlight the need for a constructive and measured dialogue among stakeholders, including local consultations. They propose setting up a multidisciplinary assessment committee to evaluate the systemic impacts of NGT varieties on the French agricultural landscape. Additionally, they call for intellectual property regulations aimed at preventing the emergence of an oligopoly in the sector. 

This concise nine-page note, while brief, presents well-developed arguments and offers a clear snapshot of the ongoing social debate around NGTs in France. As such, it serves as a valuable resource for understanding the economic implications and engaging in the broader public discourse.

Références :  

1. Catherine Regnault-Roger (2025). NGT: the New EU Regulations for plant editing in the midst of parlementary turbulences. The European scientis 6.07. 2025 https://www.europeanscientist.com/en/features/ngt-the-new-eu-regulations-for-plant-editing-in-the-midst-of-parlementary-turbulences/
2. Jean-Yves Le Déaut et Catherine Procaccia (2017) La révolution de la modification ciblée du génome Rapport de l’OPECST, n°4618 AN et  N°507 Sénat 14 avril 2017, 366 pages.
3. Catherine Procaccia et Loïc Prudhomme (2021) Les nouvelles techniques de sélection végétale en 2021 : avantages, limites, acceptabilité, Rapport n°4220 AN et n° 671 Sénat, OPECST, 3 juin 2021, 122 pages.
4. Pïerre Henriet et Martine Berthet (2025). Un nouveau règlement européen pour les plantes issues des nouvelles techniques génomiques (NTG), note scientifique n°47, n°1576 AN et 738 Sénat, 9 pages.
5. ANSES (2024) Avis et rapport de l’Anses relatif aux méthodes d’évaluation des risques sanitaires et environnementaux et des enjeux socio-économiques associés aux plantes obtenues au moyen de certaines nouvelles techniques génomiques (NTG) https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/avis-et-rapport-2021-sa-0019 

Book from the author 

Further reading

European wind turbines: the end of an era

From tariffs to F2F: protectionism is threatening global agriculture, Jon Entine (interview)

SMRs are the key to Europe’s climate goals and energy independence

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