While the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMO) remains largely banned across most of the European Union, the European Commission is now advancing a plan to treat products from modern gene-editing techniques as equivalent to conventional crops. The proposal has recently gained strong backing from several EU governments.
1. EU Moves Toward Loosening GMO Restrictions
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The EU has taken another major step toward relaxing its strict regulations on new-generation genetically modified crops, known as New Genomic Techniques (NGT).
This follows a compromise proposal put forward by Poland, which secured support from a majority of EU member states.
Under the new framework, gene-edited crops would be classified separately from traditional GMOs and subject to simpler, less restrictive supervision.
Currently, all GMO products are required to undergo rigorous safety assessments and traceability checks before market approval.
Poland, which currently holds the rotating EU Council Presidency, organized an informal vote on February 21, marking its third attempt to reach a political consensus.
2. Divided Opinions Across Europe
Despite the progress, several Southeastern European countries remain opposed to the proposal, though not enough to block it.
Belgium, which had previously abstained due to its complex federal structure, has now officially supported the initiative after a shift in government leadership.
A Belgian diplomat told Euronews:
“We still have concerns about patent issues, but we chose to support the proposal constructively to achieve a broader compromise.”
Germany and Bulgaria abstained, while Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia maintained opposition. Greece may join this group, but the total remains insufficient for a blocking minority.
3. Environmental Groups Express Concern
Environmental organizations have sharply criticized the EU’s move.
Groups such as Friends of the Earth Europe accused the Commission of “putting corporate interests above nature and citizens’ rights.”
“Deregulating new GMOs will not benefit Europe – farmers, consumers, and the environment will pay the price to please multinational corporations like Bayer,”
said Mute Schimpf, food policy advocate at the NGO.
Critics also object to the provision allowing up to 20 DNA edits within a single plant genome while still being considered “equivalent” to traditional crops.
A coalition of 30 NGOs and environmental alliances recently sent an open letter to EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, arguing that the “20-edit threshold” lacks a scientific basis.
4. Next Steps for the EU’s GMO Policy
According to a Polish diplomat, feedback from member states on the latest draft has been “generally positive,” paving the way for an official vote in March.
If passed, EU agriculture ministers could adopt a common position by late April or May 2025.
The next stage would involve negotiations between the EU Council and European Parliament, potentially finalizing the law later this year.
With strong support from both legislative bodies, the EU’s long-standing restrictions on gene-edited crops may soon be significantly eased.
5. Science and Technology Behind Modern Gene Editing
Unlike first-generation GMOs, which involved cross-species gene transfers, new genomic techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 — winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry — enable scientists to precisely edit an organism’s existing DNA.
This technology allows targeted genetic modifications to improve crop traits such as yield, pest resistance, and climate tolerance, and could soon be integrated with AI-driven design tools to develop entirely new plant characteristics.
Despite these advances, the EU still maintains strict bans on transgenic crops, and Spain remains the only EU country cultivating GMOs on a commercial scale.
6. Implications for Vietnamese Exporters
The EU’s plan to ease restrictions on gene-edited crops could present new opportunities for Vietnamese agricultural exporters, especially for processed food and raw material products that may involve modern breeding technologies.
However, exporters should closely monitor evolving labeling and traceability requirements to ensure compliance with EU import standards.
In addition, the shift could open doors for collaboration in biotechnology research, raw material supply, and sustainable farming innovation between Vietnamese and European partners.
At the same time, consumer attitudes across EU countries remain divided, meaning that understanding each market’s specific regulatory and perception landscape will be key to maximizing opportunities while mitigating potential risks.