Speeding up the legislative process on new genomic techniques in the light of the situation in Ukraine

16.5.2022

Priority question for written answer  P-001807/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Tom Vandenkendelaere (PPE), Michaela Šojdrová (PPE)

On 29 April 2021, the Commission published the results of its study on new genomic techniques (NGTs), such as CRISPR‑Cas. The study found that plant products obtained from NGTs have the potential to contribute to the objectives of the farm to fork strategy. These plants could be more resistant to diseases, more resistant to the effects of climate change and less dependent on pesticides or fertilisers. In its communication on safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems of 23 March 2022, the Commission points out the importance of making EU farmers less dependent on inputs and ensuring crop yields. Yet the Commission does not plan to put forward a legislative proposal on NGTs until the second quarter of 2023.

In the light of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the Commission should opt to (temporarily) postpone proposals that will have a negative impact on food production and speed up those that will have a positive impact, such as the one on NGTs.

Is it therefore considering speeding up the legislative process for the proposal on NGTs in order to support food security in the EU and contribute to the objectives of the farm to fork strategy?