Twenty-two business organizations from Europe are jointly calling on the
member states and the European Commission for a legislative change that
provides innovation-friendly rules for plant breeding.

In an open letter, the 22 signatories reiterated their concern about the
European Court of Justice ruling on case C-528/16 (25 July 2018), by which
the Court interpreted the provisions of the EU GMO Directive 2001/18 that
products from innovative, targeted mutagenesis methods are regulated under
the provisions of the GMO-Directive. The letter also says that products
should not be subject to Directive 2001/18 requirements and related
regulations if they could also have been obtained through conventional
methods or result from spontaneous processes in nature.

The signatories state that the costly and lengthy EU approval process
deprives European farmers and consumers from the benefits of such products.
They emphasize that they are in full agreement with scientists,
stakeholders, and EU trade partners that it has become urgent for the EU to
adapt its legislation to reflect and welcome technical progress and align it
with legislation in other parts of the world. Lastly, they express their
willingness to engage with policy makers, stakeholders, and all interested
parties to work for a constructive, targeted change.

[www.euroseeds.eu]
ation-rules-plant-breeding