Since humans first began to farm, they have sought out new ways to improve the crops that they grow to make them more productive, resilient, and nutritional.
In recent years, scientists have developed advanced tools that can do this with more efficiency and greater precision, including New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). This technology allows for a more efficient way of plant breeding, with scientists able to work within a plant’s own gene pool without the need to bring in DNA from another species.
It is crucial to unlock the transformational power of technology – including NGTs – to provide farmers with the tools they need to grow a plentiful supply of nutritious crops amid ever-evolving climate and production challenges. NGTs alone will not solve all the problems facing agriculture, but they are transforming the sector, offering a novel, precise method for enhancing crop resilience, nutrition, and sustainability.
Swedish MEP Jessica Polfjärd is in no doubt that this emerging technology is critical for the future of European agriculture. “Europe and our farmers need innovative solutions to increase yields and guarantee food security and more sustainable agriculture,” she told The Parliament. “New genomic technologies in agriculture are crucial for the future of farming. With this Nobel Prize-winning technique, we ensure that our crops are more resilient to climate change and require fewer plant protection products and fertilizers.”
However, experts have warned that unless regulatory systems are updated to reflect the advances scientists have made, then there is a real risk that Europe will fail to gain the benefits from new approaches.
If we want the EU to continue to be a pioneer in innovation, strengthen Europe’s food security, and our farmers’ competitiveness, we need new technology
Elliot Heffner, Seed Product Development Leader Europe at, Corteva Agriscience, told us that unlocking innovation is key to more sustainable agriculture.
“Farmers need access to a broad toolbox of solutions to help them produce healthy and affordable food without depleting natural resources or negatively impacting the environment,” he said, adding that realizing the potential of NGTs will require understanding and leadership across the EU.
He tells The Parliament: “There is no doubt that science is opening up new possibilities for agriculture, but we are at a crossroads. Europe’s policymakers are faced with a critical choice. They either embrace innovation – including NGTs – as part of the solution or risk limiting the EU’s ability to secure its food production in an increasingly unstable global environment.”
Corteva’s open innovation approach is already bringing benefits to farmers across the world. For instance, in Kenya, Corteva is working in collaboration with a local university on creating maize varieties resistant to disease, and on Striga-resistant sorghum to increase crop yields. Corteva is also working to resolve post-harvest rancidity in pearl millet, a critical staple for millions of smallholder farmers, particularly women, in India and sub-Saharan Africa.
“These projects highlight the practical applications of innovations such as NGTs in addressing regional agricultural challenges,” Heffner says. “They are powerful examples of the way that open innovation can help tackle food insecurity.”
The tools that Corteva and others are developing can bring benefits to Europe too. European farmers are currently struggling to manage the growing threats posed by climate change, pests, and diseases as traditional crop protection products such as pesticides are disappearing from the shelves.
Over the past decade, nearly 30 such products have been removed from the European market, leaving farmers with a significant challenge. By engineering crops that require less water, are more resistant to diseases, and need fewer inputs, NGTs offer a potential solution to that challenge. However, if NGTs are to replace the tools being phased out, regulators need to remove barriers to their adoption.
MEP Polfjärd believes that accelerating approvals can also help ensure the continued competitiveness of the European agrifood sector at a time when other territories are establishing more supportive frameworks.
“While Europe is sticking to an outdated regulatory framework, countries such as the US and Argentina already use it, which puts our farmers at a disadvantage,” she told The Parliament. “If we want the EU to continue to be a pioneer in innovation, strengthen Europe’s food security, and our farmers’ competitiveness, we need new technology.”
Dutch MEP Jeannette Baljeu is another legislator who agrees that accelerating the adoption and use of NGT technology is critical, particularly in the context of increasing concerns about water security.
“I see an important role for innovations like new genomic techniques,” MEP Baljeu tells The Parliament. “Crops generated with these techniques are just as safe as conventionally bred crops but can provide very specific sustainability traits, such as drought resistance.”
As Europe grapples with rising inflation and food insecurity, policymakers must act now to allow European ingenuity to blossom, not place limits on scientists’ ability to pursue innovation. Gene-edited crops that yield more, require fewer resources, and offer enhanced nutritional profiles could make an enormous positive difference.
The challenge for policymakers now is working based on scientific advice alongside industry to support a shift to a science-based regulatory framework. That will support innovation, ensure safety, and help create a European agricultural sector that is truly fit for the future.