Meng Landwirtschaft criticises the abolition of safety assessments and labelling requirements for genetically modified food

Luxembourg/Brussels, 18 June 2026 – Yesterday, the European Parliament approved the deregulation of plants produced using so-called ‘new genomic techniques’ (NGT). Luxembourg’s MEPs Charles Goerens, Martine Kemp and Isabel Wiseler-Lima also voted in favour of the agreement.

The Meng Landwirtschaft platform has criticised this decision. Regardless of one’s stance on genetically modified food, the abolition of labelling and safety assessments for NGTs is dangerous and irresponsible. At the same time, the patenting of NGTs is to remain unrestricted, which is likely to lead to growing dependence among farmers and further disadvantages for small and medium-sized seed producers compared to agribusiness conglomerates.

Patents on NGTs would not only hamper the development of new varieties adapted to local conditions, but also further restrict the sovereignty of food production in Europe.

This new agreement not only deprives consumers of choice, but also exposes farmers to the risk of contamination and ignores the concerns of scientists from the national safety authorities of several countries, who warn that new genetically modified crops may pose risks to health and the environment.

However, after decades of promises of groundbreaking innovations, record yields and resistance to floods and droughts, the reality is that none of the few genetically modified crops grown worldwide have fulfilled these promises – even in countries such as the United States, where they are almost entirely unregulated.

This is the latest example of the EU’s drive towards deregulation, in which regulations designed to protect nature and consumers are the first to be scrapped. The only winners today are the multinational biotech corporations, which are further expanding their influence over the food supply chain.

In early 2024, the Luxembourg Parliament had adopted a motion calling on the government to launch an initiative to ban patents on NGT1 crops. Despite this call, Luxembourg’s Minister for Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Martine Hansen, had not advocated in the European Council either for the risk assessment and labelling of NGTs or against their patenting.

Whilst previous governments had always upheld the precautionary principle with regard to genetically modified plants and opposed the release of GMOs, the current majority is bringing about a paradigm shift.

Meng Landwirtschaft is a platform of Luxembourg non-governmental organisations dealing with issues relating to agriculture, food, the environment, nature conservation, animal welfare, consumer protection, health and development cooperation. It was founded in 2010 and is currently supported by natur&ëmwelt a.s.b.l., Vereenegung fir Biolandwirtschaft Lëtzebuerg a.s.b.l., Greenpeace Luxembourg, Action Solidarité Tiers Monde, SOS Faim Luxembourg, Mouvement Ecologique, etika, CELL, Slow Food Luxembourg, Cercle de Coopération, Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal, Lëtzebuerger Landesverband fir Beienzuucht, SEED, Kampagne ohne Pestizide, Frères des Hommes, Foodsharing Luxembourg, Netzwierk Agroökologie, Fondation Partage, Ligue CTF and Vegan Society Luxembourg.

menglandwirtschaft@naturemwelt.lu – www.meng-landwirtschaft.lu

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