This is something I think more people in Ireland should be aware of. The EU has adopted new rules covering plants produced using certain New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), including forms of gene editing. The legislation divides these plants into two main categories: 🌾 NGT-1 NGT-1 covers plants containing specified genetic changes that could also occur naturally or through conventional breeding. Once a plant's NGT-1 status has been officially verified, it will largely be treated in the same way as a conventionally bred plant. 🧬 NGT-2 NGT-2 covers plants involving more complex genetic modifications. These remain subject to requirements including risk assessment, authorisation, traceability and labelling. 🛒 So what will the consumer actually see? This is where I think the discussion becomes particularly important. Under the new system: 🌱 NGT-1 seeds and other plant reproductive material must be identified as NGT-1. 👨‍🌾 Farmers can therefore know that the seed they are purchasing is NGT-1. 📋 NGT plants will also be recorded through EU regulatory systems. 🛒 But food produced from NGT-1 plants will generally NOT have to carry an NGT label for the person buying the finished food. So we could have a situation where the developer knows how the plant was produced, the seed is identified, the farmer can know what was planted and the regulatory authorities can know — but the family buying the resulting food may not know from the packaging. The new rules entered into force in July 2026 and are due to apply from 17 July 2028. It's also important to be accurate about what these rules mean. This isn't a case of every gene-edited crop automatically being treated as conventional. A plant must meet the criteria established for NGT-1 and have its status verified. More complex NGT-2 plants remain subject to the stricter GMO regulatory regime. NGTs will also not be permitted in organic production. 🤔 So where should we draw the line? Whatever your personal opinion about gene editing, I think there's a separate question worth discussing:

What's one win from this week? Big or small. 👇

This week I want to: ☐ Train ☐ Improve fitness ☐ Work on mobility ☐ Simply get started What's your goal this week? 👇

This week I want to: ☐ Train ☐ Improve fitness ☐ Work on mobility ☐ Simply get started What's your goal this week? 👇