Inside Brussels' Eleventh-Hours Battle Over New GMOs

This time next month, the European Parliament will have the power to open Europe’s farmgates and plates to new genetic technologies, without the guardrails of labelling, monitoring, or liability. But in Brussels, an eleventh-hour battle is brewing. So is this game set and match? Or is there still something to play for? Natasha Foote brings you the latest from Brussels. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, April 2026

Mark April 21 in your calendar with a big red circle: this will be the day of a new — and possibly final — milestone meeting for negotiators working to clinch a deal on overhauling the EU’s seed legislation, as well as the Council vote on plans to ease rules for new GMOs. Close, perhaps — but not quite there. In both cases, the outcome remains uncertain. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, December 2025

Within just a few days, the Council of Europe managed to torpedo three years of work led by the agroecological seed movement, to protect the breeders, farmers and growers keeping cultivated biodiversity alive. First came the final and devastating deal between the European Council and Parliament on the NGT file. Only days later the Council adopted its General Approach on the EU Seed Law. Natasha Foote looks back at these two alarming U-turns and explains what comes next. Continue reading...

Patents, Power Plays and the Future of Seeds: Inside the EU's Negociations on New GMOs

EU lawmakers have been locked in intense negotiations for months on loosening rules on the use of new genetic technologies in plant breeding. But talks are stalling on one particularly sticky issue. So why have patents become so central in this story, and what would it mean for farmers and breeders if lawmakers get their way on permitting patents? Natasha Foote digs in. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, October 2025

The two reforms we have been following since summer 2023 have now entered their final negotiation phase—yet it remains too early to know whether a final deal is approaching. On the NGT file, tensions are rising as the Council and Parliament remain divided over fundamental points. As for the PRM file, insiders are not optimistic that the Danish PR will manage to conclude negotiations before its term ends. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, June 2025

Uncertainty remains over farmers’ access to diverse seed varieties, while Member States are also divided on whether seed legislation should be fully integrated into the EU Regulation on official controls. Meanwhile, major disagreements persist between the Parliament and the Council on new genomic techniques—just as Denmark, a strong advocate for new GMOs, is about to take over Council Presidency. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, March 2025

The pressure is building as the recent Council’s position moves new genetic techniques one step closer to EU farms and forks, while ministers are still struggling to find a common position on the Seed Law reform. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, September 2024

The latest news from Brussel is that recently re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has finally revealed her picks and priorities for her new team of Commissioners over this next 5 year political cycle. So what does this mean for future policy making on seeds? Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, July 2024

It has now been a month since we have had a new Parliament - let's look at the possibility to rally newly-appointed MEPs to our cause. And there's no time to spoil! while the two texts which will soon determine the future of the EU seed market are the subject of fierce negotiations. Continue reading...

Final stretch of negociations on the reform of the EU seed marketing legislation - Your Help Is Needed!

In this special article, Seeds4All relays information from its partner ARCHE NOAH, involved in advocacy actions at European level. You will find recommendations, key contact information and templates to facilitate your ability to act before April 24 - date of the vote in plenary of the European Parliament. Continue reading...

Seeds4All Legal Update, April 2024

On April 24, MEPs will vote on their final position on the reform of the European legislation for the production and marketing of plant reproductive material. Please take a moment to read our report and participate in the lobbying campaign coordinated by Arche Noah! Continue reading...

Seeds4All Policy Guidelines, January 2024

The conference of November 28 was an opportunity for our group of partners to set out the political guidelines defining our common vision. In 2024, we will be redoubling energy and work to ensure that this vision is disseminated to the political institutions concerned and that it finds its place in the outcome of the negotiations. Read our 2024 Policy Guidelines...

Centering small producers' voices in seed law reform

On November 28, we took part in the organisation of a conference at the European Parliament to discuss the future of seeds. Spotlighting the specific voices of artisan seed producers in the context of the reform of the EU seed marketing legislation, this event was an opportunity to analyse the coherence of the Commission's proposal in the light of the demands and difficulties put forward by the guardians of biodiversity. Continue reading...

GMOs and seed marketing laws: false promises of a toxic package

A carefully crafted narrative is framing GMOs as an essential ingredient in sustainable food systems. The decision to prioritise GMOs over other approaches carries a significant path dependency that will likely shape the future of our food systems for decades to come. In this context, we're asking: Could a solid reform of the seed marketing legislation provide a more effective and safer response to sustainability commitments? Continue reading...

Seed marketing proposal unveiled: first key takeaways

The Commission proposal for revising the EU seed marketing framework is out. Never thoroughly updated since its creation, the process of reforming a legislation made up of 12 separate directives represents a major challenge for both the institutions and campaigning organisations, and promises to generate a great deal of debate on the future of our common agriculture over the coming months. So, what does the new proposal entail? Continue reading...

Seed marketing reform - Commission hints at Faustian hybrid

In preparation of the Commission’s expected proposal for a new seed marketing legislation on June 7th, MEP Sarah Wiener and MEP Martin Häusling called a conference to discuss what is needed for a just transition to agroecology. Policy analyst Mathieu Willard reports on the next form of seed legislation, the secondary space for agroecology and the main concerns about GMOs. Continue reading...