Michaela Šojdrová

Michaela Šojdrová is a Czech conservative politician and a Member of the European Parliament (EPP). As a substitute member of the AGRI Committee, she actively participated in the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which will shape the future of European agriculture until 2027. Her current point of interest lies also in new genomic techniques where she aims to speed up the legislative process and enable EU scientists and farmers to use these breeding methods.

Genome-edited crops; a European perspective

Abstract

Michaela Šojdrová’s contribution will demonstrate the importance of transparent and fair communication on the topic of NGTs in order to change current legislation towards new genomic techniques.

Currently, a strong voice of scientists clearly demonstrates how research has progressed and scientific results offer acceptable, safe, and effective breeding methods such as genome editing. This breeding method results in crop varieties necessary to ensure food security for people in the EU and beyond, while being eco-friendly and meeting the requirements of good agricultural and environmental conditions.

On the other hand, based on communication with different stakeholders, including consumers and farmers, it is obvious that information about new genomic techniques and especially their acceptance vary. Michaela Šojdrová will present the new study “Genome-edited crops; a European perspective”, drafted in order to increase public awareness and to contribute to the discussion.