EU Parliament Approves Deregulation of Genetic Engineering

_EU Member of Parliament Manuela Ripa (OeDP): A Dark Day for Freedom of Choice, Biodiversity, and the Precautionary Principle_

Strasbourg (June 17, 2026). Green light for the deregulation of new genetic engineering methods: After lengthy negotiations, the European Parliament in Strasbourg has adopted the new EU law on New Genomic Technologies (NGT). MEP Manuela Ripa (Oekologisch-Demokratische Partei / OeDP) sharply criticizes the decision: "Instead of prioritizing transparency and safety, key safeguards are being weakened. This is a step backward for consumers, farmers, environmental protection, and biodiversity."

Under the new rules, a large proportion of NGT plants ("Category 1 plants") will be exempt from strict authorization, risk assessment, and labeling requirements. They are to be treated largely like conventionally bred plants, and key elements of the existing genetic engineering law will not apply to them. Ripa criticizes this as risky and a serious encroachment on citizens' freedom of choice: "Without labeling, consumers have virtually no way of knowing what's on their plates."

Ripa also sees significant risks for agriculture, and especially for organic farming. "Without comprehensive traceability, it will become increasingly difficult for GMO-free farms to safeguard their production methods. Coexistence between GMO-free and genetically modified production will become significantly more complicated. The risk of legal uncertainty and economic dependence is increasing."

In this context, the OeDP politician warns of the consequences of the patent regulations provided for in the law. "As recently as 2024, the European Parliament had called for a far-reaching ban on patents for NGT plants. This was swept under the rug during negotiations with the European Commission and the Council of Ministers. This threatens to further concentrate market power in the hands of a few global seed and agricultural corporations. Seeds are the foundation of our food supply and must not become an instrument of power."

Ripa emphasizes that the challenges of climate change and sustainable agriculture cannot be solved by weakening existing protection standards: "Innovation is not a free pass for deregulation. Especially when it comes to genetic modifications, the precautionary principle, independent risk assessments, and full transparency must apply." Ripa also points out that numerous scientists have emphasized that the risks of new genetic engineering methods must continue to be carefully evaluated.

However, today's vote in the European Parliament does not mark the end of the matter, according to the Member of the European Parliament. "The EU law will become reality, but this vote does not end the debate on new genetic engineering. Together with my party, the OeDP, I will work at all political levels--especially in Germany--to ensure that environmental, health, and consumer protection, as well as the preservation of our natural resources, remain at the center of political decision-making. For the sake of consumer protection and the precautionary principle alone, Germany should file a lawsuit against the EU law or join any potential lawsuit brought by other member states." Germany had abstained from the vote on the law in the Council.

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Gerd Pfitzenmaier
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gerd.pfitzenmaier@gst.oedp.de

The Oekologisch-Demokratische Partei - Ecological Democratic Party (OeDP) was founded in 1982 as a national party. The OeDP currently has approximately 7,000 members nationwide and over 520 elected officials at the municipal, city, and county levels; it is represented in district councils, has 18 mayors and deputy county administrators, and has also been represented in the European Parliament since 2014.

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The Oekologisch-Demokratische Partei (OeDP) is made up of people who think and act in the interest of the common good. The guiding principle of our political action is that we think not only of ourselves, but also, in a spirit of solidarity, of all people on our planet and of future generations. We develop sustainable solutions for people, animals, and the environment with the goal of creating a livable, just, and peaceful society. The principle "People Before Profit" is at the heart of our politics. We tackle environmental and poverty issues together by taking an honest and far-sighted view of economic, ecological, and social interconnections.

This release was published on openPR.