Relevance of the EU-NGT-Regulation for Austria
In mid-2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for an EU regulation on plants and food and feed produced from them using new genomic techniques (NGT). The proposed regulation distinguishes between Category 1 and Category 2 NGT plants. While Category 2 NGT plants are to be regulated largely in the same way as genetically modified organisms, Category 1 NGT plants are to be exempt from the requirements of GMO legislation and instead subject to the provisions applicable to conventional plants. If the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the Commission agree on the proposal, a revised regulation could come into force in the coming months. Its implementation could have far-reaching implications for agriculture, the economy, administration and consumers.
Objective and research questions
The aim of the study is to present the possible agronomic, technical and economic effects of the regulations for NGT-1 plants in Austria. This primarily concerns agricultural businesses, selected upstream and downstream sectors, and the relevant authorities in the area of official control and certification. On this basis, suitable options for action for the agricultural and food sector are to be identified.
In the project led by AGES, BAB is responsible for work package 2. This work package involves a qualitative analysis of the possible economic impacts of the use of NGT-1 plants on agricultural businesses and on selected sectors that are directly upstream and downstream of these businesses.
Methods and data
The BAB work package comprises several sub-aspects:
- Definition of case study farms: In close consultation with the experts of the project consortium, the BAB will define two typical farms that will serve as central case studies for the processing of further work packages. The definition of model farms is based on their importance for Austrian agriculture on the one hand and on the diversity of potential NGT-1 application areas on the farms on the other (e.g. seeds, feed, milk marketing). Data from farms that voluntarily keep accounts, INVEKOS data and IDB data from the BAB data pool are used for the operational characterisation.
- Literature and data review: In order to better understand the current state of knowledge on the potential economic effects of NGT-1 application, WP2 involves a review of relevant agricultural economic literature and data sources. The literature review focuses on current empirical and conceptual work and aims to provide information on relevant topics, economic relationships and possible research gaps.
- Involvement of experts: Experts from the project consortium, academia, practice and administration will be involved (e.g. through surveys or workshops) to validate the results of the literature review and assess their transferability to Austrian conditions. The experts will be selected in such a way as to cover as broad a range of topics as possible and to take different perspectives into account.
- Presentation of the analysis results based on the case study companies.
Planned work for 2026
Three main areas of work are planned for 2026:
1. Definition and development of two case study farms based on specific farm characteristics.
2. Review and systematic compilation of relevant, current agricultural economic literature and data sources.
3. Design and commencement of a qualitative survey of the economic impact of NGT-1 on agricultural businesses in Austria.
Timetable
Project start: 12/2025 (subject to a positive overall project assessment)
Project end: 11/2027
