Hungary hosts international non-GMO summit on genomic techniques

The international non-GMO summit is set to take place on October 7 and 8 in Frankfurt, Germany, focusing on the political discussions surrounding new genomic techniques (NGTs). István Nagy, Hungary’s minister of agriculture and chair of the EU’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council, will deliver the opening remarks, emphasizing Hungary's strong opposition to GMOs, which is enshrined in its 2012 constitution. The summit is the largest gathering of the non-GMO industry, highlighting the importance of non-GMO labeling schemes across EU countries. The presence of key officials, including German State Secretary Silvia Bender, underscores the significance of the non-GMO sector, particularly in Germany, where sales of non-GMO products reached €17.4 billion in 2023. Austria also reported substantial sales from its non-GMO milk and egg production. Currently, only one genetically modified crop is authorized for cultivation in the EU, while millions of tonnes of genetically modified crops are imported annually for animal feed. Hungary's firm stance against GMOs has led to tensions within the EU Council, especially regarding the European Commission's proposal to ease NGT usage. The lack of consensus among member states on NGT regulations has raised questions about Hungary's neutrality as the EU Council Presidency. In July, Hungary proposed to restart negotiations on the NGT law, which had already seen compromises from previous presidencies, leading to criticism from EU diplomats. The summit aims to address these divisions and promote food and feed production without gene-editing methods, reinforcing the commitment to GMO-free agriculture in Hungary and other EU nations. The outcomes of this summit may influence future regulations and the ongoing debate surrounding genetic engineering in Europe.