EU biotech-free firms and farmer groups sue over new gene-editing rules
Eight non-GM companies and four farmer associations have filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice challenging the EU regulation that deregulates NGT-1 gene-edited crops.
On Monday, a group of eight companies that avoid genetic modification and four agricultural associations lodged a complaint with the European Court of Justice against the EU regulation adopted in June that largely deregulates plants produced with new genomic techniques (NGT-1). The plaintiffs, among them Rapunzel Naturkost and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft, claim the law violates higher-ranking EU legislation because it eliminates mandatory testing and labeling for these crops.
They argue that basing the exemption on the count of altered DNA base pairs is not scientifically justified, as even minor changes can have major effects, a view expressed by Bremen-based EU law expert Gerd Winter, who drafted the filing. The challengers warn that the rule could cause widespread pollen-mediated contamination of conventional and organic varieties, jeopardising certifications and contracts. The court will first assess the formal admissibility of the suit before deciding on its merits, and the plaintiffs have indicated they will appeal to the EU’s top court if rejected.
Why it matters
The case could reshape EU labeling and safety rules for gene-edited crops, affecting farmers, consumers and the biotech market.
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