New breeding techniques count as GMOs in EU

The European Union’s top court ruled Wednesday that food produced by a series of new biotechnology breeding techniques should be considered genetically modified organisms, thus falling under the EU’s strict regulations of the products.

In Wednesday’s ruling, the European Court of Justice said that the organisms created by the new breeding techniques “come, in principle, within the scope of the GMO Directive and are subject to the obligations laid down by that directive”, AP reports.

German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze welcomed the ruling, calling it “good news for the environment and consumer protection.”

– Now we finally have the necessary legal certainty and transparency for consumers, researchers and industry. Protecting the environment and health are our top priority with new genetic technology as well – Schulze added.

The ruling, AP reports, was seen as a major victory for environmentalists at the expense of the biotech industry.

European Court of Justice Luxembourg

GMO

biotechnology breeding technique

genetically modified organisms

German Environment Ministry

Svenja Schulze

biotechnology

biotech

biotech industry