EU Parliament's environmental committee supports relaxing rules on genetically modified plants

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Lawmakers on the European Parliament’s environment committee on Wednesday backed a proposal to relax rules on genetically modified plants produced using so-called new genomic techniques, prompting strong criticism from environmental groups. Earlier this month, 37 Nobel prize winners and other scientists urged EU lawmakers to support new genomic techniques, or NGTs, and “reject the darkness of anti-science fearmongering.” The current legislation gives environmentalists the assurance that the EU won't turn into a free-for-all for multinational agro-corporations to produce GMOs in bulk and sell products to the bloc’s 450 million citizens without detailed labeling and warnings. But lawmakers agreed Wednesday to create two different categories and two sets of rules for genetically modified plants produced using NGTs. It also agreed on a ban on all patents filed for NGT plants, saying it will help “avoid legal uncertainties, increased costs and new dependencies for farmers and breeders.” Committee rapporteur Jessica Polfjard called the proposal critical for strengthening Europe’s food safety in a sustainable way.