The LIVESEED project (Improving the performance and competitiveness of the organic sector by boosting organic seed and plant breeding efforts) will present & discuss the scientific controversies and the regulatory issues related to New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) as well as the results of a European survey on consumers attitudes and preferences on NPBTs in organic farming

Messmer, Monika

Padel, Susanne

Sommer, Martin

Zanoli, Raffaele

Organic Eprints

Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 New Plant breeding Techniques and Organic Farming: scientific, regulatory and consumer issuesThe LIVESEED project (Improving the performance and competitiveness of the organic sector by boosting organic seed and plant breeding efforts) We  present & discuss the scientific controversies and the regulatory issues related to New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) as well as the results of a European survey on consumers attitudes and preferences on NPBTs in organic farming.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Speakers and ProgrammeDr Susanne PadelThünen Institut Moderation and DiscussionDr. Monika MessmerFiBL SwitzerlandIntroduction to the Liveseed project and new plant breeding techniques12:00 to 12:10Martin SommerIFOAM Organics EuropeThe position of IFOAM Organics International to NPBT and what is at stake12:10 to 12:20Prof Raffaele Zanoli andco‐authorsUniversity of MarcheResults of a European study on consumers attitudes and preferences on NPBTs in organic farming12:20 to 12:40 All  Questions and Discussion  12:40 to 13:00Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Lets start with a little exercise•What comes to your mind, if you think about seed use in organic farming? •Please type up to 5 words in the slido poll. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No727230 and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 17.00090. The informationcontained in this communication only reflects the author’s view. Neither the Research Executive Agency nor SERI is responsible for any usethat may be made of the information provided.Boosting Organic Seed and Plant Breeding across Europe (2017‐2021)Highlights & RecommendationsBram Moeskops & Ágnes Bruszik IFOAM Organics Europe, Project CoordinatorsMonika Messmer, FiBL‐CH, Scientific CoordinatorBiofach 2021Monika.Messmer@fibl.org5LIVESEED in a nutshell• Budget: 7.4 M EUR EU funding & 1.5 M EUR Swiss funding• Duration: 4 years• Coordinator: IFOAM Organics Europe• Scientific coordinator: FiBL (Switzerland)• Multi‐actor approach: 50 partners in 18 countries• Goal: Boosting organic seed and plant breeding in order to improve theperformance, sustainability and competititveness of the organic sector• Approach:o Inter‐ and transdisciplinaryo Policy – economy – science interfaceo Multi‐actor & stakeholder involvemento Wide geographic representation6Aim: Improve integrity and competitiveness of organic sector byreaching 100% organic seed of cultivars suited for Organic AgricultureIncluding the seed7Scope of activitiesWP 7 Overall Project ManagementPolicy & regulationHarmonized Implementation of Organic Regulation with respect to seedCultivar testing & seed multiplication & seed healthIncrease accessability of organic healthy seed, adoption of new cultivarsResearch & development in organic plant breeding Innovative concepts, strategies andapproaches for more resilient cultivars and holistic strategies to widen choice of organiccultivarsSocioecon mic IssuesImprove the competitiveness of the organic seed supply chainsfrom breeding to the consumer incl survey on new breeding technologiesKnowledge exchange & networkCapacity building, exchange of knowledge, collaboration & awareness raising on the benefits of organic plant breeding and organic seedFor main results see www.liveseed.eu8Attitude towards new plant breeding techniques  (NPBT)In 2007 several new plant genetic engineering techniques were summarized as  “new plant breeding techniques (NPBT)” to discuss their potential commercialisation. The organic sector called them “new genetic engineering techniques” in order to avoid confusion • Oligonuceltide Dirtected Mutagenesis (ODM)• Zinc Finger Nucease Technology (ZFN) comprising ZFN‐1, ZFN‐2, ZFN‐3• Cisgenesis comprising intragenesis• Grafting• Agro‐infiltration• RNA‐dependend DNA methylastion (RdDM)• Reverse breeding• Synthetic genomics→ JRC study of 20119Site directed nuclease (SDN): CRISPR‐Cas9 2012• SDN‐1: Double strand break at specific site, silencing of a gene, point mutation due to error in DNA repair (induced mutation of a specific gene) = site directed mutagenesis• SDN‐2: Double strand break & template with desired base pair sequence, targeted replacement of individual bases of the gene, new allele, new trait = gene editing• SDN‐3: Double‐strand break & one or more species‐specific or non‐species‐specific genes are incorporated into genome in a targeted manner (targeted gene transfer at specific site)Nobel price winners 2020: Emmanuelle Charpentler & Jennifer DoudnaPrinciples of Organic AgricultureBased on the principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness & CareValue based & process oriented defined by the organic sectorSince several years the compatibility of breeding techniques with organic agriculturehas been discussed at different levels considering: • Risks (precautious principle) for human, animals, plants, soil fertility, environmentbased on techniques and their application• Ethical issues (how far shall it be allowed to modify organisms directly at the DNA level)• Socio‐economic issues (IPR, breeders privilege, market concentration, dependency of farmers)• Expectation and trust of organic consumers10www.fibl.orgCriteria for Organic Plant BreedingEthical issues of position paper of Eurpean Consortium for Organic Plant Breeding (ECO-PB) 2013• Genom and cell is respected as indivisible entity, no technical/physical intervention(e.g. isolated DNA) → no technical/physical intervention (e.g. cell fusion)• Maintain reproducibility in species specific manner• No legal or technical barriers to restrict breeders’ prevelige• Natural crossing barriers are respected • Promotion of open pollinated varieties as alternative to F1 hybrids to enable farm saved seed• Transparency IFOAM International: Position Paper on New Breeding Techniques 2017Draft February 2017, consultation and final approval on General Assembly of IFOAM in November 2017  https://www.ifoam.bio/compatibility-breeding-techniques-organic-systemsTransparency & traceability to allow freedom of choice for farmers & consumersLegal Regulation in Europe• European Court of Justice decided July 2018 that site directed mutagenesis shall be treated as GMO• In the European Union organic agriculture is GMO‐free by definition, as the use of GMOs is prohibited in the organic production process, according to the current (Regulation 834/2007, Art. 4), and new organic regulation (Regulation 848/2018, Art. 5).• 2020 Public consultation on Novel Genomic Techniques by EU commission –Report expected end of April 2021 in order to decide how NGT shall be regulated1213The position of IFOAM OrganicsWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Results of a European study on consumers attitudes and preferences on NPBTs in organic farmingRaffaele Zanoli, Simona Naspetti, Emilia Cubero‐Dudinskaya, Serena MandolesiWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Objective• Investigate organic consumers’ attitudes, preferences and acceptance of New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) in organic food and farming in selected EU countries.• We specifically tested the effect on consumer attitudes and preferences of the term “new plant breeding techniques”, which is used by lobbying groups that promote them as “methods that allow the development of new plant varieties with desired traits,” e.g., fruit with higher vitamin C content.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Methods and sample• 11 focus groups and statement sorting• 102 organic consumers (20 DE, 10 IT, 8 LT, 15 ND, 24 ES, 14 CH, 11 UK) • 48% occasional and 54% regular Age: 61% (18‐45) ‐ 39% (46‐70)• Gender: 54%  Female ‐ 46% MaleFocus groups and Q methodologyOnline survey• 11 countries (DK, FR, DE, HU, IT, LV, NL, SL, ES, CH, and the UK) • 4.486 respondents in total (around 400 per country)• Discrete choice experiment (DCE) 12 choice setsWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 FGs Results 1/2Consumer knowledge (before showing the video on NPBTs):• The majority didn’t know the meaning of “New Plant Breeding Techniques” but associated production methods (e.g. optimization of processes, improving productivity, using artificial fields, vertical farming etc.). Only few (mainly from DE, ES and IT) identified the relation with GMOs or genetic engineering.Consumer feelings and attitudes (after the video):• Mainly negative feelings (because of the genetic manipulation for both gene‐editing and cisgenesis);• Perceived like GMOs and «unnatural»;• Generally no difference between NPBTs and transgenesis technique, however, for some consumers, both cisgenesis and gene‐editing are preferred over transgenesis.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 A minority of organic consumers would accept NPBTs only if…• NPBTs would improve the quantity and quality of yields• Reduce environmental impacts (e.g. further reduce the amount of chemicals used in organic farming)• BUT: Not as another tool to produce hybrid seeds.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 FGs Results 2/2Willingness to purchase:• The majority would not buy organic foods derived from NPBTs. Main motivations are: productivityand social aspects (e.g. producing enough food, reducing hunger in the world), reduction of costs and prices, using new technologies, protecting health and environment.Reasons’ for rejection:• Use of genetic manipulations;• Ethical and social aspects (“Then you are going to play for God”);• Lack of knowledge among consumers;• Unpredictable impacts on society and environment;• Sceptical due to the economical and political purpose.For all participants the use of specific and clear labels is necessary.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Q Methodology Results: Description of FactorsNPBTs rejected:• Perceived similar to GMOs and “incompatible” with principles of organic farming,• May have unpredictable effects & risks for the environment and human health,• May cause contamination of other organic crops,• May reduce biodiversity.F1 “Risk Averse”75 Consumers of which 56% RegularF2 “Technological Optimists”26 Consumers Of which 35% RegularF3 “Socially Concerned”Only 6 organic consumers of which 67% regular NPBTs seen as a “useful” technology. Focus on potential benefits like:• Obtaining seeds and plants more pest resistant,• Reducing the amount of chemicals,• Feeding the world by organic farming or eliminating hunger,• Reacting to climate change,• Helping organic farmers to compete with the conventional ones.The focus in on negative socioeconomic impacts on the competitiveness of the whole organic sector.• They don’t believe that all farmers would benefit by the adoption of NPBTs (only multinationals would),• NPBTs will reduce the availability of different plants reducing the variety,• Prices will increase, • They don’t believe that NPBTs will help feeding the world or reducing hunger.Consensus (by all factors):NPBTs must be subject to traceability and mandatory labelling in all Europe.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Consumers exhibited preferences for locally sourced products from non‐hybrid seedsWilligness to pay (WTP) in euro for origin, type of seeds and Vitamin C contentWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Consumers rejected using NPBTs in organic farming• Preference for “natural” and “not manipulated” food products, no matter the claimed advantages.• For example: Natural Vitamin C was valued, but not traded off to accept genetic techniques.Willigness to pay (WTP) in euro for type of seeds and Vitamin C contentWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Higher preferences for non‐hybrid, open pollinated seeds• Indirectly favoured the use of seed‐saving practices allowing the re‐sowing of non‐hybrid, unpatented seeds and, on average, preferring these to F1 hybridsWilligness to pay (WTP) in euro for type of seedsWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Attitudes towards NPBT vary by gender, knowledge and organic consumption• Gender influence attitudes: women are significantly more hostile to NPBTs than men.• Respondents that are more knowledgeable about organic food have less favourable attitudes towards NPBTs.• Being a regular consumer of organic food (i.e., more than 50% of household food purchases are organic) increases rejection of NPBTs. • Food neophobia also increses rejection of NPBTs.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Consumers demand transparency• There is a general lack of knowledge and information about NPBTs.• As for GM food  consumers demand transparency and ask for a labelling scheme if products from NPBT seeds would be allowed on the market.Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Practical recommendations• To meet consumer demand  act in a precautionary and transparent way concerning the origin and quality of the seeds used.• Planting non‐hybrid, farm‐saved seed competitive advantages for farmers. • Loyal consumers may be willing to pay up to 50% more for final products if these products would be distinguishable on the market.• Processors and retailers  successfully differentiate by clearly labelling food products made of vegetable ingredients from non‐hybrid seeds. Wednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Now lets vote• Should organic farming permit the use of New Plant Breeding Techniques?• Yes / No / I don‘t knowWednesday February 17, 12:00‐13:00; Scientific Forum, Stream 5 Thank you for listeningQA and discussion

New Plant breeding Techniques and Organic Farming: scientific, regulatory and consumer issues

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New Plant breeding Techniques and Organic Farming: scientific, regulatory and consumer issues

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