Unlocking Innovation in European Plant Breeding: A Perspective on the New Genomic Techniques Framework

New genomic techniques (NGTs), including targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis, can accelerate plant breeding and support the development of crops adapted to abiotic stresses associated with climate change and to biotic stresses such as pests and diseases, resource limitations and changing societal needs. Their application in the European Union has nevertheless been constrained by legislation adopted before these technologies became available, especially Directive 2001/18/EC, and by the regulatory gap following the 2018 decision on Case C-528/16 of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The recent Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 establishes a dedicated framework that differentiates NGT plants with changes comparable to those obtainable naturally or by conventional breeding from plants carrying more complex modifications. This Perspective welcomes the shift towards greater scientific proportionality and considers how it can translate European research strength into varieties and products reaching farmers, value chains and consumers. Although only few genome-edited crops have reached commercial application to date, they do not necessarily predict the future direction of genome-edited crop development. Nevertheless, they illustrate that genome editing is already being applied to a diverse range of product concepts beyond experimental research. We argue, however, that regulatory reform alone will not unlock innovation. Success will require harmonised implementation, practical and affordable access to enabling technologies, intellectual property and breeding germplasm, participation by public institutions and smaller breeders, and transparent evaluation of environmental, social and economic outcomes. The forthcoming European Biotech Act II also offers an opportunity to develop coherent, application-specific approaches for NGT microorganisms and industrial biotechnology.