Urgent scientific advances for Spanish agriculture: Genetic editing proposal under debate in the EU
With the clock ticking, the European Union faces a crucial decision on the use of plants developed with New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in agriculture before the upcoming elections.
The proposal from the Commission, supported by the scientific community, promises significant benefits for the Spanish and European agricultural sector.
At the next EU Council of Ministers on January 23, during the Strategic Dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU, the importance of genetic editing for the sustainability of agriculture and the generation of decent income will be highlighted. The following day, on January 24, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will vote on crucial amendments, including the well-known CRISPR technique, to advance the adoption of NGTs.
The proposal finds support in science, with 35 Nobel laureates and over 1000 scientists asking the European Parliament to support these new genomic techniques. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that they do not present new dangers compared to conventionally developed plants.
The European “Farm to Fork” strategy endorses these techniques as safe and beneficial, contributing to the sustainability of agri-food systems and ensuring food security. The regulation of these techniques benefits Spanish agriculture not only by leading the development of crop varieties quickly and affordably but also by driving public-private collaboration to address climate change.
In this context, it is relevant to highlight IDC’s participation in two innovative projects, CHIC (Chicory as a multipurpose crop for dietary fibre and medicinal terpenes) and BOOSTER (Boosting drought tolerance in key cereals in the era of climate change). Both projects are intrinsically linked to advancements in New Genomic Techniques (NGT), as the innovation and progress they seek to achieve largely depend on the effective application of these technologies. Initiatives like these are fundamental to addressing current challenges in agriculture and climate change. IDC’s collaboration in these projects underscores its commitment to the forefront of agricultural innovation.
Source: Agroinformacion.com (in Spanish)
About IDConsortium
IDConsortium is a consultancy founded in Seville in 2009 with the aim of helping researchers and companies to internationalize and showcase their Research and Development (R&D) by joining international consortia to carry out different lines of research, development and innovation.
To date, it has successfully managed 22 European and national projects, worth more than €88 million in public funding. Currently, more than 250 European and international partners are part of its network.
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