Hungary continues to stand for GMO-free domestic agriculture

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On July 5, 2023, the European Commission’s legislative proposal on the regulation of genetically modified plants created with new gene management techniques (NGT) was published.  The proposal classifies the new genetically modified plants into two categories and links their use and distribution to two different procedures. Plants classified in the first category would be completely excluded from the current GMO regulation. According to the proposal, the release of these plants into the environment would not be preceded by any risk assessment, and they could be marketed without labeling or monitoring. And it would introduce countless simplifications when licensing plants belonging to the second category, for example much less data and impact assessment would be needed to license the cultivation of such plants than in the case of previous GMOs. In addition to all of this, in the case of certain plants, no follow-up would be necessary, so it would not become clear in the future whether the given product has any harmful effects. It is also important that the proposal does not allow Member States to decide for themselves whether they want to grow plants produced with such new genetic manipulation techniques on their territory or not. This is also a rather sensitive issue for Hungary, because in 2015, as a result of effective Hungarian intervention, we managed to achieve an amendment to the EU GMO directive, so that member states can decide for themselves whether they want to grow GMOs on their territory or not.

The current proposal would again take this achievement away from the member states. In recent years, new genetic technology methods – such as gene editing – can be used to create almost any GMO

In other words, laboratory tools can be used to reach into the plant genome in a targeted manner.  These techniques are used in research and development in many fields, from healthcare to industry to agriculture. In Hungary, many such researches are also being carried out in research institutes, universities and private companies. We support research, as it can contribute to development and the competitiveness of our country. At the same time, while in the case of closed-system uses, i.e. laboratory research and drug development, environmental and health risks can be eliminated with the appropriate safety measures, cultivation, which actually means the deliberate release of the plant into the environment, can carry environmental and health risks that must be investigated before such a product is placed on the market. If an unforeseen adverse effect occurs, it is too late to act, because these organisms cannot be withdrawn from nature. Therefore, the regulation of activities related to organizations created in this way is essential. On Hungary’s part, above all, the precautionary principle must be kept in mind in relation to these new gene therapy procedures, and no initiative can be supported that would allow these products to be marketed in the European Union without a proper health and environmental risk assessment.

A primary concern for Hungary is the strengthening and maintenance of food and food safety, as well as the protection of the interests of traditional, especially organic farmers

That is why guarantees must be included in the decree, which ensure the appropriate marking and monitoring of NGT products and enable their exclusion from organic farming.  Ensuring consumers’ freedom of choice can only be achieved by maintaining mandatory marking. This is also why it is impossible to allow products created with new gene treatment procedures to be placed on the market without any kind of preliminary testing and authorization. The GMO-free domestic strategy will therefore not change. Negotiations at the European Union level have begun, where our country continues to stand up for what is defined in the Basic Law, i.e. the GMO-free Hungarian agriculture.

AM