Draft regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGT)

Question for written answer E-001156/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR)

In view of the forthcoming second reading of the draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed, I am writing to the Commission to request clarification on several key issues that are causing serious concern amongst citizens, farmers and the scientific community.

Under the proposal, a significant proportion of NGT plants (category 1) are to be exempted from existing GMO regulations, including requirements for risk assessment for human, animal and environmental health, traceability, monitoring and labelling. At the same time, the draft adopts the criterion of 'equivalence' between NGT plants and conventional plants, which - according to some experts - lacks sufficient scientific justification.

Taking the above into consideration:

• 1.On which specific published scientific analyses is the assumption of equivalence between NGT plants and conventional plants based?
• 2.How does the Commission intend to ensure a high level of health and environmental protection in the event that Category 1 NGT plants are exempted from a full risk assessment?
• 3.How will market transparency and consumers' right to information be ensured where labelling requirements are reduced?

Submitted: 19.3.2026