New genomic techniques for plants to boost innovation in sustainable agriculture

ViroiDoc project partners visited the European Parliament on that very historic day.

On 17 June 2026, the European Parliament (EP) has adopted new rules facilitating access to new plants that are climate and pest resistant, give higher yields and require fewer pesticides.

The amended rules for new genomic techniques (NGTs) were provisionally agreed between Parliament and Council in December 2025.

The new EU rules mark a shift towards regulating plants on the basis of what they finally look like genetically and not how they were made. NGT-altered plants are to be split into two categories with different legal obligations.

Key points of the EP Regulation's adoption:

• New genomic techniques split into two categories (NGT-1 and NGT-2), with different legal obligations.
• NGT-2 plants will continue to be covered by the existing rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• NGTs can be patented but safeguards to ensure affordability and fair access for farmers.
• Reducing farmers’ dependency on imports and improving their competitiveness.

As ViroiDoc project activities were taking place in Strasbourg that week in June, the project partners, visited the European Parliament on that very day.

Professor Purificación Lisón from the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV), Spain, said: “A historic milestone for European plant biotechnology. With the approval of the EU Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), Europe embraces innovation for more sustainable agriculture. Proud to have witnessed this landmark moment at the European Parliament and to contribute to this new era through ViroiDoc’s innovations for plant health and crop sustainability.”

Source and full news available at the EP website.