Browse Data and Analysis

This report describes production, trade, research, policy, and marketing issues of genetically engineered (GE) plants, animal products, and microbial biotechnology in Italy.

While acceptance of innovative biotechnologies is gaining some traction within informed stakeholder groups, Austria continues to be one of the leading forces in Europe opposed to the use of agricultural biotechnology.

While Colombia´s regulatory environment remains friendly toward the adoption of biotechnology-derived crops and products, congressional anti-biotechnology initiatives pose a threat to further acceptance, and risk undermining future investments to benefit consumers and the agricultural sector.

This report assesses the agricultural biotechnology sector in the Netherlands, and covers related production, trade, and policies. It includes topics related to genetic engineering and innovative plant, animal, and microbial biotechnologies.

After over a decade, Serbia still has not implemented changes to its “Law on Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs),” which was adopted in 2009. Even though Serbia prepared an amended “Law on GEOs” in 2018, changes to this are not on the list of possible adoptions created by the current Serbian Government.

Decision making around GE crops is highly politicized in Germany. The German government is conflicted and has not issued an official statement on the EU Commissions proposal to deregulate the genetic engineering law yet.

Poland opposes the use of genetic engineering in agriculture. Although the current regulatory framework technically allows genetically engineered (GE) seeds to enter commerce, the law stipulates they cannot be planted.

On October 13, 2023, the European Commission authorized four genetically engineered maize crops for import as food and animal feed, including three full approvals and one renewal.

Croatia is a net food importer; government policy is geared primarily towards raising agricultural productivity and then controlling imports.

On July 5, 2023, the European Commission (EC) adopted a new proposal to regulate plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) and their use for food and feed.

On June 21, 2023, the European Commission (EC) approved three genetically engineered (GE) corn crops and renewed the authorization for three soybean crops and one cotton crop used for food and animal feed. The authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on June 22, 2032, and they remain valid for 10 years.

The European Commission requested a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on microorganisms produced by new developments in biotechnology.