European Commission Study of New Genomic Techniques
30 April 2021EFFAB and FABRE-TP welcome the European Commission’s study on the status of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), recognising its importance for the future of research, innovation and sustainability in European animal breeding and reproduction. The study highlights the limitations of the current EU GMO legislation for certain NGT applications and the potential of genome editing to contribute to more sustainable food systems, while stressing the need for robust scientific evidence to ensure food safety, animal health and welfare.
The organisations call for continued research, open dialogue and collaboration between researchers, breeders, industry, authorities and citizens to build the scientific knowledge needed for an appropriate regulatory framework. They also emphasise that novel animal breeding techniques should have a place on the EU research agenda and call for the publication of the outstanding EU report on the detection of genome-editing techniques in animals.