War in Ukraine and the need to ensure food self-sufficiency should push the European Commission to speed up work on the new genomic techniques, centre-right Czech MEP Michaela Šojdrová (KDU-ČSL, EPP) told EURACTIV.cz.
New genomic techniques are scientific methods altering the genetic material of an organism and could make them, particularly plants, more resilient or have better nutrition values.
“The scientific community is calling for Europe to start using these promising breeding methods, not only for food security but also from an environmental point of view. Plants should be more resistant to disease and drought,” centre-right politician Šojdrová explained.
“Moreover, we should stop discriminating against European farmers. If we can import these types of crops today as feed and we cannot grow them, I consider that to be discriminatory,” the lawmaker from the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party added.
New genomic techniques are currently not deployed in the EU and now fall under the genetically modified category. However, scientific research has moved on, and the EU legislation no longer reflects reality, the lawmaker says.
“(New techniques) are very similar to the natural course of mutation, only they are accelerated,” Czech MEP said.
According to Šojdrová, there is “a fairly large consensus in the European Parliament” that the time is ripe for using these technologies. Still, some groups like Greens emphasise risks linked with their development, particularly for biodiversity. However, Šojdrová said that these concerns are “artificial”.
The European Commission is expected to publish the proposal by mid-2023.
Moreover, Šojdrová also wants to postpone targets for the reduction of pesticides. Under the current plans, the EU should reduce the use of pesticides by 50% by 2030.
“All of these objectives are here to stay for the future, but the time for their implementation should be extended and accompanied by more support for farmers, including new and available substances such as biopesticides,” she concluded.
( Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
Source: euractiv.com
