News

Continued resistance to EU deregulation of new genetic engineering

03/09/2026 - The final approval of the EU deregulation for plants made from new genetic engineering (NGT) seemed like nothing but a mere formality. But there is further resistance and delays.

Following informal approval by the EU Council of Ministers shortly before Christmas and a vote in the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) in February, a final EP vote in March was initially planned as the last step towards the decision on extensive NGT deregulation. Among other things, this would remove the labelling requirement for the majority of future genetically modified foods. The EP vote is now scheduled for 18 May.

This is because first the Council of Ministers must formally confirm its approval, which was only signalled at representative level in December. In addition, amendments can still be tabled in the EP, which could delay the process again if they were to find a majority.

DBV and BÖLW want changes regarding patents

The German Farmers' Association (DBV) and the Association of the Organic Food Industry (BÖLW) presented an interesting initiative on this topic at the Biofach trade fair in Nuremberg in February. Behind the scenes, the two associations are jointly campaigning for an EP amendment to NGT deregulation, which would exclude the effectiveness of patents in breeding, agriculture and food production.

A majority in favour of this in Parliament does not seem impossible. If it were to actually come about, the ball would be back in the court of the Council of Ministers and thus the EU Member States. If they were to reject such an amendment with an EP majority, it would significantly delay deregulation as a whole.

Bioland: Actions for businesses and consumers

Under the heading "Stop the Trojan Horse of deregulated genetic engineering", the organic association Bioland has compiled a series of possible actions for businesses and consumers. For businesses, there are letter templates they can use to invite MEPs to visit them and learn about the requirements of GMO-free production. Consumers can use a tool to write targeted and simple emails to MEPs of their choice.

International social media campaign "Blacked-out ingredients"

Meanwhile, a number of European environmental and organic organisations have launched a new international and multilingual social media campaign under the slogan "Blacked-out ingredients – Labelling genetically edited foods!" Messenger channels such as WhatsApp and Telegram are used to inform interested parties, who can then easily take action and spread the information further.

The CSU’s Political Ash Wednesday: Genetic engineering in beer?

At the CSU's Political Ash Wednesday in Passau on 18 February 2026, an alliance of 18 farmers', environmental and consumer organisations protested against the deregulation of genetic engineering with a publicity stunt involving an oversized beer mug bearing the slogan "Genetic engineering in beer? Manipulated – patented – undeclared – Is that really what you want?"

European Parliament: Overview page with dates on new NGT regulation

Bioland: Campaigns for businesses and consumers: "Stop the Trojan Horse of deregulated genetic engineering" (German)

International social media campaign "Blacked-out ingredients – label gene-edited foods!"

Lebensmittelpraxis: Alliance in Bavaria warns against genetic engineering in beer (German)

AbL: Bavarian beer must remain GMO-free and patent-free! (German)