New breeding techniques

13.7.2016

Question for written answer E-005782-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jan Huitema (ALDE)

New breeding techniques have been under discussion in Europe since 2008. The legal interpretation within the current regulatory framework concerning many of these techniques has been awaited for a long time: initially, the Commission was to have clarified matters by the end of 2015. The most recent indication is that they will become clearer only by the end of this year.

1. Can the Commission indicate what steps it has taken and what steps it intends to take in order to speed up the legal analysis?

2. Does the Commission consider that the lack of a clear legal framework could have damaging legal consequences? If not, why not? And does the Commission consider that a protracted period of uncertainty will result in innovative sectors and fundamental research moving from Europe to third countries? If not, why not?

3. Why is the Commission blocking countries which wish to grant ‘growing trial’ status for some new breeding techniques, and what are the consequences if Member States do not abide by this?