{"id":279197,"date":"2025-06-07T11:12:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-07T11:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/agriculture\/can-eu-organic-farming-adapt-the-role-of-genomic-techniques-in-the-eu\/"},"modified":"2025-06-07T11:12:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-07T11:12:54","slug":"can-eu-organic-farming-adapt-the-role-of-genomic-techniques-in-the-eu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=279197","title":{"rendered":"Can EU Organic Farming Adapt? The Role Of Genomic Techniques In The EU"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Recently, the article \u201cNew Genomic Techniques in Organic<\/a> Production: Considerations for Science-Based, Effective, and Acceptable EU Regulation\u201d<\/em><\/a> was published in Cell Reports Sustainability<\/em>, authored by a group of respected international academics. At first glance, the title seemed almost humorous\u2014new genomic breeding techniques in organic farming, in the EU, of all places? Naturally, I had to read it. Below is a concise summary of the article, followed by my analysis and skepticism. This post is by no means unbiased; rather, it explores the question: Can organic agriculture evolve with science? <\/em>Given that organic crop and food production has not adopted the scientific innovations that conventional<\/a> plant breeding has is the past 40 years, is it likely it will now?<\/p>\n

Motivation of the article<\/h2>\n

\"ECThe European Commission under the European Green Deal has set a goal of expanding EU organic farmland to 25% by 2030. As of 2022, organic farming accounted for 10.5% of agricultural land, up from 5.9%<\/a> a decade earlier. So, how can organic production in the EU more than double that value in less than 10 years? Doubling that percentage in less than eight years presents a significant challenge. Organic farming generally yields 15%-20% less than conventional farming, making the expansion unlikely from a profitability standpoint.<\/p>\n

A possible solution to bridge this gap could be new genomic techniques (NGTs)<\/a>, which are currently excluded from organic farming practices. Additionally, a 2021 EC study<\/a> concluded that \u201cEU GMO laws are no longer fit for purpose due to advances in plant breeding<\/a>.\u201d<\/em> With pressure to increase organic land while maintaining sustainability and productivity, researchers are questioning whether organic agriculture can evolve to incorporate NGTs while still adhering to its foundational principles.<\/p>\n

NGT or GMO<\/h2>\n

EU organic farming regulations, specifically (EU) 2018\/848<\/a>, exclude biotechnology<\/a>, including genetically modified organisms<\/a> (GMOs). However, the question remains: should GMOs include NGTs? Outside of the EU, these technologies are not always categorized as GMOs.<\/p>\n

NGTs include methods such as mutagenesis<\/a> and cis-\/intragenesis<\/a>, meaning genetic modifications occur solely within the same species or closely related species<\/a> capable of sexual hybridization. While these techniques could fall under the GMO umbrella, they can also be classified as a form of self-hybridization. Because of this distinction, the authors advocate for a revised regulatory approach\u2014one that integrates NGTs while preserving organic principles. It should be noted, however, that random mutagenesis under the current EU\u2019s GMO directive is exempt<\/a> from being classified as a GMO tool.<\/p>\n

Key points from the article:<\/h3>\n