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EU plans to relax GMO restrictions to help farmers adapt to climate change

Brussels plans to lift controls on genetically modified crops to help farmers cope with climate change. Wheat that can withstand drought and tomatoes resistant to fungus are among the new techniques.

1 min read
  • Brussels plans to lift controls on some genetically modified crops to help farmers cope with climate change.
  • The draft EU regulation proposes that many modified plants should be approved as conventional rather than go through the bloc’s existing GMO regime.
  • The new techniques include wheat that can withstand drought, tomatoes resistant to fungus and potatoes containing less acrylamide.
  • The proposal sets out different regulatory options but favours a light-touch regime for most new plant varieties.
  • The proposal could still be changed before being put forward by the European Commission on July 5.
EU plans to relax GMO restrictions to help farmers adapt to climate change
Controls could be eased on plants ranging from wheat able to withstand drought to fungus-resistant tomatoes
Financial TimesAndy Bounds

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