With the Greens leading both the German agriculture and environment ministries, many expect the country to stand against the Commission’s expected push to deregulate new genomic techniques (NGTs). But agriculture minister Cem Özdemir has so far refused to take sides.

According to the European Commission’s most recent agenda, the EU executive is set to table its long-awaited verdict on whether or not to loosen EU rules on gene editing in early June this year.

There have been various hints that the Commission could back such deregulation. Most recently, it suggested in a letter to EU lawmakers as well as in a recent study on food security that NGTs could help soften the blow of climate and environmental measures such as the proposed 50% reduction in the use of pesticides by 2030.

With key ministries held by the Greens, traditionally known to staunchly oppose gene editing, the German government could become one of the most influential opponents of a potential EU-level push for deregulation – at least in theory.

In practice, agriculture minister Cem Özdemir has not ruled out liberalising gene editing rules.

“Personally, I am looking into it, I am informing myself, and I am forming my own opinion on the issue,” he said.

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