"The EU is moving forward – Switzerland must not lose touch"
The EU has largely approved genomic plant breeding. Four plant researchers from the University of Zurich, ETH, and Agroscope contextualize the EU decision from June 17, 2026.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Today, we are making history" – with these words, rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd summed up the mood in the EU Parliament. On June 17, 2026, it largely greenlit new breeding methods; since member states had already given their approval, the regulation is a done deal. What science has maintained for years has now arrived at a regulatory level: New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) are safe – and an important complement to plant protection in the fight against climate change and fungal diseases. Switzerland, however, is hesitating. We asked four Swiss plant researchers for their assessment.
In your view, what does a positive EU decision mean for Switzerland as a research location?
Prof. em. Beat Keller, University of Zurich: "Compared to the EU decision, current and planned regulation of such technologies in Switzerland is significantly more restrictive. This represents a substantial disadvantage for Switzerland as a research location. Swiss agriculture will also – unlike in the EU – not be able to benefit to the same extent from the expected advances in plant breeding."
Prof. Bruno Studer, ETH Zurich: "The EU Parliament's decision strengthens the competitiveness of the European Research Area and increases the pressure on Switzerland not to stand on the sidelines regulatorily."
Prof. Ueli Grossniklaus, University of Zurich: "Without adapted regulation, Switzerland risks leaving research, innovation, and its practical application to other countries. I hope that Switzerland will also develop its regulatory framework so that the great potential of new breeding techniques can be utilized in this country as well."
What changes does this decision bring for research – and how quickly will it be felt in practice?
Prof. em. Beat Keller, University of Zurich: "Modern breeding technologies allow cultivated plants to be improved much more precisely and purposefully than with conventional methods. At the same time, they shorten the development time for new varieties, allowing breeding to react more quickly to current challenges – such as emerging pathogens favored by climate change."
Dr. Etienne Bucher, Agroscope: "Concrete findings from basic research can now be applied in practice much faster."
Prof. Bruno Studer, ETH Zurich: "For plant research, the decision creates vital planning security and facilitates the transfer of innovations into practice."
What do these new methods bring specifically for agriculture and the environment?
Prof. Ueli Grossniklaus, University of Zurich: "New breeding techniques accelerate the development of climate-resilient and resource-efficient varieties. They lay the foundation for sustainable agriculture, which is indispensable for the future of Switzerland."
Prof. Bruno Studer, ETH Zurich: "New genomic techniques can help breed more resilient and resource-efficient crops and implement principles of agroecology in farming."
Dr. Etienne Bucher, Agroscope: "We will see concrete results relatively quickly, which can lead to a reduction of plant protection products in agriculture. Furthermore, these new breeding methods allow cultivated plants to adapt faster to climate change."
About the experts:
- Prof. em. Beat Keller: Former Professor of Molecular Plant Biology at the University of Zurich, Keller is one of the most renowned experts in the field of wheat breeding – which also falls under the umbrella of genetic engineering.
- Prof. Dr. Bruno Studer: Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding and head of the group of the same name at ETH Zurich. The Chair of Molecular Plant Breeding works closely with Agroscope, the federal center of excellence for agricultural research.
- Dr. Etienne Bucher: Leads a research group at the Swiss center of excellence Agroscope. As an established expert, he has dedicated many years to researching new breeding methods, which are currently still subject to the genetic engineering moratorium in Switzerland.
- Prof. Ueli Grossniklaus: Director of the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at the University of Zurich and an internationally renowned expert in plant developmental genetics.
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