New vote could take new GMOs one step closer to EU fields and plates

EU countries are teetering on the brink of an agreement which would take new GMOs one step closer to our plates and several steps back from current protections governing the technology. What’s happening, what’s at stake, and what does that mean for next steps? Natasha Foote breaks it all down for you.

After months of back and forth, it seems that things may finally be moving on the EU’s plans to loosen the rules around the use of new technologies, known as new genomic techniques (but also as new GMOs or gene editing). The plans aim to allow speedier approvals, fewer regulatory hoops to jump through and looser labelling requirements for crops genetically altered with these genetic technologies.

While the European Parliament agreed its position back in February 2024, things have not been plain sailing with EU member states, who have been struggling to see eye-to-eye on the file.

But this could soon all change as EU countries gear up for a new vote tabled for 14 March, according to sources.

While there’s still a long road ahead for the plans even with a yes vote in the Council (more on that below), the shape of the Council’s position on this will lay foundations for future talks to finalise the plans once and for all. That makes this week’s vote key for the future of new genetic technologies in the EU.

The vote – what do we know?

The file has previously been blocked by a minority of countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia.

But some key players could soon be changing their tune, according to sources.

First up is Poland, who has been the main swing state in this race for a long time. Worth 8% of the vote, Poland has been staunchly against the loosening of the rules due to concerns over patents, which have long been the make-or-break issue in negotiations after the Commission chose not to open that Pandora’s box in its original proposal.

But in a curveball move, the Polish penned a new proposal back in February (which we reported on here) scrapping restrictions on patenting in efforts to get things moving on the file as part of their role as the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, for which they are supposed to act like an ‘honest broker’. The move quickly sparked backlash from small- and medium-size breeders, farmers, and the organic and non-GMO sectors.

Although it seems counterintuitive, the fact that Poland brought this proposal to the table does not mean it automatically supports it.

While the country is currently keeping its cards close to its chest, sources suggest that it is looking likely it could vote yes, which would tip the scale for the necessary qualified majority. The government seems hopeful it can achieve a qualified majority by mid-March and, if nothing else changes, this would only be possible if Poland itself votes in favour.

But even if this is not the case, Poland is not the only player to watch in this game – which brings us to Belgium.

The home of the EU institutions has placed the file high on the freshly drawn up priorities of the recently formed coalition after struggling with internal differences for months. During its time at the helm of the EU rotating presidency, Belgium struggled to align viewpoints both between the environment and the agriculture minister as well as between Belgium’s regions.

But this, too, could soon be changing, with the file now reaching the upper echelons of Belgian politics, according to sources, who told ARC that the country’s position on the file is set to go to a vote among the top-dogs in its ‘inner cabinet’ decision-making process.

Although Belgium remains split over the plans, political pressure is being heaped on to find an agreement on the text, according to sources. Summary: Sources say it’s still complicated, but that Belgium is leaning towards a yes.

Belgium alone would not be enough to swing the vote. But after months of abstention, Greece is also apparently gearing up to vote yes, according to sources, which could also help tip the scales in favour of the position.

It is not yet clear what has caused this change of heart. What is clear, however, is that whichever way the vote swings, it will be tight. But these swing states might give just the margin needed to support the position.

So what’s next?

This is a make-or break moment for the file. A yes-vote in the Council would set the ball rolling on deregulation of this genetic technology in the EU.

First thing to say is that things move fast in politics, and there is still time for things to change between now and the vote. Votes can be postponed last minute, or positions can switch. The news has sparked a flurry of activity from civil society groups, green campaigners and farmers associations, many of whom have written letters to ministries.

Second thing is that the Council position would not be the end of the story just yet. Even if a general position in the Council is secured, there will still be an uphill battle ahead through the interinstitutional talks (known as ‘trilogues’ in EU-speak).

It is through these interinstitutional talks that the final shape of the plans will come to light. This will generally rest somewhere between the three positions – that of the Commission (the original proposal) and the two lawmakers, the European Parliament and the Council.

That means that patents will once again be a core part of negotiations, given that the Council’s potential position on patents would go squarely against that of the European Parliament’s.

ARC will be keeping a close eye on the vote, so watch this space for news as it comes to light.