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On June 14 2022, the European Commission met with PivotBio. This US company markets genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) to « convert atmospheric nitrogen and deliver it to crops ». During the meeting, PivotBio explained that these microorganisms are modified « by conventional mutagenesis or by genome editing ». But it does not wish to market them in Europe « since […]

The wave of GMOs/NGTs (new genomic techniques) is promised by US and European multinationals, and promoted by the European Commission and agricultural lobbies. But it also raises intellectual property issues for some « intermediate » seed companies. These GMOs/NGTs are in fact protected by patents with a potentially very broad scope, which can have an impact on […]

From multinational seed companies to small traditional seed companies, the relationship with intellectual property rights on plants varies. The issue of patentable GMOs/NGTs is exacerbating the problem in Europe and is causing divergences and ambiguities to emerge among certain players in the seed industry. The wave of GMOs/NGTs (new genomic techniques) is promised by US […]

Recently, the European Economic and Social Committee urgently adopted an opinion critical of the Commission’s plan to deregulate new GMOs/NTGs, as part of the mandatory consultation procedure. The European Committee of the Regions has also been consulted, but its opinion has not yet been published. However, in May 2023, this committee issued an opinion on […]

At a conference organized at the European Parliament on October 26, 2023 by Socialist MEP Christophe Clergeau, the French consumer association UFC-Que Choisir, through the voice of Olivier Andrault, was clear : GMOs, whether « classical » or renamed NGT (New Genomic Techniques), must be assessed, labeled, and present real benefits, notably for the end consumer. The position […]

Many additives and vitamins are now produced industrially by micro-organisms, some of them being genetically modified. The applications for authorization consulted by Inf’OGM for the latter are less numerous (122 dossiers out of 723 read) than for enzymes. But these molecules are important to know, as they are increasingly present in human and animal foodstuffs… […]

Inf’OGM has studied over 600 dossiers filed in the European Union for molecules (enzymes, vitamins, additives) produced by micro-organisms, whether genetically modified or not. Among these dossiers, three concern the production of molecules, attempts at synthetic copies of chemical compounds present natively in Stevia. The aim is to produce sweeteners. The three companies, Avansya, Amyris […]

The organisation of European organic food processors and retailers (OPTA) rejects GMOs/NGTs, but sets out conditions for their possible adoption. At the beginning of September, a new player took a stand against the European Commission’s proposal to deregulate “new GMOs“, which it has renamed NGTs : Opta (Organic Processing and Trade Association), the European organisation that […]

Has the European Commission based its proposal to deregulate GMOs/NTGs on « sound science » or on the demands of seed companies ? Documents obtained by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) show that the Commission chose to listen to the companies rather than its own experts at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA had indeed asked for […]