BRUSSELS, Belgium (RFD-TV) — European farmers may soon have better access to innovative seed technologies as the European Union advances with new regulations for gene-edited crops, a move aimed at easing restrictions and fostering a more unified agricultural market across the region.
Dr. Peter Beetham, Interim CEO of Cibus, joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to explain what these regulatory changes mean for producers and the global ag industry. Beetham began by clarifying the distinction between gene editing and traditional GMO technology — an important point for both farmers and consumers who increasingly want to know how their food is grown.
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Dr. Beetham outlined the background of the EU’s decision to modernize seed regulations and where the process stands today, noting that harmonizing regulations can open doors for faster trait development and greater farmer access worldwide.
According to Beetham, this change has the potential to significantly impact global agriculture by accelerating the availability of improved seeds designed to resist pests, fight crop diseases, and withstand climate stress.
Cibus’s advanced breeding technology enables the development of traits in under a year, a leap that Beetham says can help farmers respond more quickly to emerging challenges in their fields. He shared real-world examples of Cibus traits in crops such as soybeans, rice, and canola that have improved yields and reduced production costs for growers.
Looking ahead, Beetham emphasized that gene editing will play an increasingly critical role in food security, helping farmers adapt to a changing climate and meet the world’s growing demand for sustainable and resilient crops.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
December 22, 2025 02:54 PM
·
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
December 22, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Small, locally focused wineries are finding resilience through direct sales and regional loyalty rather than scale alone.
December 22, 2025 02:05 PM
·
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
December 22, 2025 01:38 PM
·
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
December 22, 2025 01:31 PM
·
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
December 22, 2025 01:23 PM
·
In Minnesota, a legal and legislative battle has reached a tipping point. For over a decade, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the private deer-farming industry have been locked in a dispute over the management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
December 22, 2025 12:30 PM
·
Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.
December 19, 2025 02:03 PM
·
Jeff Johnston with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange explains the growing role of Rural America in supporting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
December 19, 2025 01:43 PM
·
