Spanish government backs scientific advisory initiative on agricultural gene editing

Spain’s Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) has launched a two-year scientific advisory project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA), aimed at shaping future legislation around new genomic techniques (NGTs) in agriculture. The initiative is part of a broader effort to bridge scientific expertise with public policy in the agri-food sector.

The project, selected as one of 50 successful proposals out of 370 submissions to the I+P 2024 Call, is funded by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). The call is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, and the National Office of Scientific Advice (ONAC), to encourage the integration of scientific evidence into public administration.

Josep Maria Casacuberta, a CSIC researcher at CRAG and current chair of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) GMO panel, will lead the initiative. The primary objective is to provide MAPA with structured scientific advice in ongoing discussions concerning regulatory frameworks for NGTs across the EU.

Key activities will include expert consultations, preparation of technical reports on legislative and technological developments, mapping of national research capabilities, and outreach to the agri-food sector. A dedicated web platform will also be developed to provide accessible information on NGTs and promote transparency in this emerging field.

L. María Lois, CRAG’s director, emphasized the center’s strategic orientation: “We are committed to scientific policy as a tool to transfer the knowledge generated at CRAG to develop better public policies.”

The Ministry sees the project as an opportunity to modernize agricultural policy through evidence-based approaches. “With this project, we will promote public innovation through scientific advice in a sector of special importance for the future of agriculture, food, and the environment, such as plant genetic improvement with NGTs,” said Elena Busutil Fernandez, MAPA’s General Director of Agricultural Productions and Markets.

Collaboration with the Fundación Antama and Biovegen is expected to strengthen ties with industry stakeholders and further align research outputs with sectoral needs. The advisory effort positions CRAG as a key facilitator in translating scientific advances into regulatory and economic frameworks for Spain’s agriculture.