European Union: European Parliament and Council Successfully Agree and Close Trilogue on Regulation of NGT Plants

The EU Council and European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement in December 2025 on a regulation on plants obtained through new genomic techniques (NGTs), concluding trilogue negotiations under the Danish Presidency. The agreement establishes two regulatory pathways: Category 1 NGTs, considered equivalent to conventional plants and subject to a simplified verification procedure, and Category 2 NGTs, which remain regulated under existing GMO legislation. It also introduces provisions on patent transparency and allows Member States to adopt national coexistence measures and cultivation restrictions. The compromise has since been endorsed by Member States and approved by the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI), paving the way for final adoption in 2026, with application expected two years after entry into force.