News

Since September 2023, Member States and MEPs have been discussing the GMO deregulation proposal presented by the European Commission (EC) on July 5, point by point. In these discussions, the scientific basis of the proposed rules should be one of the points of attention. On this subject, the report by French experts of the Anses […]

Does the European Commission master all the scientific jargon used in its proposed deregulation of GMOs? Are the multinationals trying to take advantage of the complexity of the scientific concepts involved to get more than they bargain for? The European legislator, whether a Member State government or an MEP, is, like most citizens, unaware of […]

Four industrial groups dominate the market for genetically modified micro-organisms. Of the 272 applications filed that strictly concern GMMs, 173 (64%) are from :– Novozymes (54 applications + 4 via its subsidiary Chr. Hansen) ; – DSM (42 cases + 1 via Biomin GmbH + 1 via Avansya, a joint venture between DSM and Cargill) ; – Danisco/IFF […]

In the European Union, 137 « different entities » filed 768 applications for authorisation of micro-organisms to produce different molecules. 50 of these entities filed applications using genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) declared as such. Four companies (and their subsidiaries) submitted 64% of these applications : Novozymes, DSM, IFF and AB Enzymes.They have bought and taken stakes in a […]

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 […]