The European Council and Parliament finalize a provisional agreement that simplifies the regulation of improved crops and ensures greater sustainability.
The main point of the agreement is the division of NTG plants into two categories, thus determining their level of regulation
- Category 1 or NTG-1: These are plants considered equivalent to conventional or natural varieties. They are exempt from the requirements of legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms.
- Category 2 or NGT-2: These are plants with more complex or less “natural/equivalent” modifications. They remain subject to the strict requirements of GMO regulations.
The agreement includes exceptions for certain traits of category NTG-1, which forces them to be classified as NTG-2: herbicide tolerance and the production of a known insecticidal substance. Member States are allowed to apply an exclusion clause (“opt-out”) to prohibit the cultivation of NTG-2 plants in their territory. The regulation also introduces the obligation to publish information on existing or pending patents for NTG-1 in a public database and encourages voluntary licenses under fair conditions.