Biotech lobby groups are set to trap farmers and breeders in patent minefield
Deregulation of new GM crops will increase seed market concentration, undermine resilience of the food system
12.04.2026
A new EU law that would scrap any safety or labeling rules for a class of new GM crops (called NGTs), is in its final stages. As all GM crops are covered by patents, this will negatively impact the way our food is produced – meaning more market power in the hands of just a handful of corporations, less choice in seeds for farmers, and more bureaucratic hurdles for smaller plant breeders. Industry tries to brush aside widespread concerns about patents, using flawed arguments. MEPs now have a final opportunity to curb patents on food and other crops.