AseBio and Biovegen join forces to promote a change in legislation for new genomic techniques

The two main associations of the Spanish agri-food biotechnology sector invite companies to participate in the public consultation of the European Commission

The Spanish Association of Bioenterprises (AseBio) and the Technological Platform for Plant Biotechnology (Biovegen) have joined forces to promote the participation of the partners of both entities in the public consultation of the European Commission (EC) to promote a change in legislation on novel genomic techniques (NTG) related to plants. 

Genome editing is a new approach to knowledge-based genetic improvement, which takes advantage plants' own natural solutions, contributing to reducing the current requirements for external inputs and making possible more environmentally friendly food production. “This technology has the potential to contribute to a more sustainable agri-food system and help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy to address the adverse conditions caused by climate change and population growth,” he declared. Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna, manager of Biovegen.

Countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan, among others, have already taken the necessary steps because their regulation allows it: several genetically edited crops, as well as their derived products, are entering the world market, and many more are in development. 

After the publication of the study in April 2021 by the EC, which confirmed this evidence, the need to authorize the use of these tools also in Europe is increasingly clear so as not to be left behind. Ion Arocena, CEO of AseBio confirms it: “We must make it understood that the final product achieved thanks to the NTG It is just as safe, more sustainable and with better features. The improvements brought about by biotechnology accelerate what could occur naturally in the coming years. It is important to consider the product and not just how it was obtained. There is significant interest both in the European Union and around the world in NTG applications in plants, and some of these applications are already on the market outside the EU. Now it's our turn to get on this train." 

Both entities request the European Commission to adopt a proportionate and non-discriminatory approach to advanced genetic improvement in its future legislation, which allows the complete implementation of the European objectives of sustainability of agri-food production using all possible resources, including advanced genetic improvement techniques, which allow us to face the challenges of sustainability and biodiversity. 

The public consultation will be open until July 22, 2022.