The European Commission organised on 29 November 2021 a high-level event to provide a forum for a transparent and constructive debate on how the EU could develop a regulatory framework on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis) that combines high levels of safety while reaping the benefits of innovation.

Three panels discussed the contribution of new genomic techniques to sustainability, risk assessment as well as traceability/labelling of products resulting from new genomic techniques.

The programme and the biographies of speakers are found here

food safety | animal health | foodstuffs legislation | EU food chain
Monday 29 November 2021, 09:30 (CET)
Online only
Live streaming available
External event

Programme

29 Nov 2021, 08:30 - 17:15 (CET)
- 8.30 - 9.30 (Europe/Brussels)
  Connection opens
- 9.30 - 10.20: Morning session 1
  Welcome and introductory comments
  Moderator Ms Rose O’Donovan, Editor-in-chief, AGRA FACTS
  Opening remarks
  European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans
  The Commission policy initiative on plants derived from certain new genomic techniques
  Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides
  Message from the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
  Mr Jože Podgoršek, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food
  Keynote speech
  Professor Dr. Virginijus Šikšnys, Institute of Biotechnology Vilnius University
- 10.20 – 10.35: Break
- 10.35 - 12.15: Morning session 2
  Panel discussion:Enabling NGT products to deliver on sustainable benefits in the agri-food sectorIncluding Q&A
  Keynote address by Mr Julien Denormandie, Minister for Agriculture and Food, France (Incoming Council Presidency)
  Panellists:
  - Mr Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament
  - Mr Garlich von Essen, Secretary General, Euroseeds
  - Ms Diana Lenzi, President, CEJA
  - Mr Jan Plagge, President, IFOAM Organics Europe
  - Dr Dirk Zimmerman, Greenpeace
  - Mr Pierre Bascou, Director, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
- 12.15 - 13.45: Lunch break
- 13.45 - 15.15: Afternoon session 1
  Panel discussion:Ensuring safety with proportionate risk assessmentIncluding Q&A
  Panellists:
  - Ms Anja Hazekamp, Member of the European Parliament
  - Mr José Antonio Sobrino Maté, Subdirector General, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Spain
  - Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher, Board member, ENSSER
  - Dr Ralf Wilhelm, Director, Julius Kühn Institute
  - Dr Bernhard Url, Executive Director, EFSA
- 15.15 - 15.30: Break
- 15.30 - 17.15: Afternoon session 2
  Panel discussion:Engaging consumers and empowering them to make informed choicesIncluding Q&A
  Panellists:
  - Ms Irène Tolleret, Member of the European Parliament
  - Dr Dietmar Vybiral, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria
  - Dr Trine Antonsen, GenØk Centre for Biosafety
  - Ms Heike Moldenhauer, Secretary General, ENGA
  - Ms Nikita Sajeev, Co-founder, Genesprout Initiative
  - Dr Guy Van den Eede, Acting Director, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
- 16.55 - 17.00
  Wrap up final session and introduction to Ms Claire Bury by Ms Rose O’Donovan
- 17.00 – 17.15: Closing remarks
  Ms Claire Bury, Deputy Director General, DG Health and Food Safety, European Commission