New breeding techniques

11.4.2017

Question for written answer E-002660-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jan Huitema (ALDE)

1. What will the consequences be if Member States decide to authorise the use of CRISP/Cas9 techniques for targeted plant mutations, and does the Commission consider that a plant is not a GMO if no foreign DNA is introduced into it?

2. Could the Commission indicate why it is taking so long to decide on new breeding techniques and state what steps have been taken to accelerate the process?

3. When does the Commission expect a decision to be published on the admission of new breeding techniques, in particular CRISP/Cas9, and what are the obstacles still preventing it from making a decision?