46  / SEEDWORLD.COM  SEPTEMBER 2026
A look at seed industry developments around the globe.
EU adopts NGT rules, 
Ukraine joins plant 
treaty, gene-edited wheat 
advances in UK, AGT leads 
lentil breeding, Tanzania 
launches seed strategy.
STATUS EU
The European Union has 
approved a two-tier system 
for plants developed through 
new genomic techniques.
Verified NGT-1 plants 
with conventionally achiev­
able changes are treated as 
conventional varieties, except 
herbicide-tolerant and insec­
ticidal types. NGT-2 plants 
remain subject to GMO risk 
assessment, authorization, 
traceability and labeling.
Patent safeguards aim to 
protect farmer access and 
seed-saving rights.
STATUS UKRAINE
Ukraine has become the 
156th member of the 
International Treaty on Plant 
Genetic Resources, gaining 
access to more than 2 million 
crop samples for breed­
ing and research. The move 
supports efforts to protect 
its agricultural diversity and 
rebuild seed-system resilience.
STATUS UK
A low-asparagine wheat has 
received precision-bred status 
in the U.K. and will move to 
food and feed review. Field 
trials reduced asparagine by 
59% without affecting yield, 
potentially lowering acryla­
mide during cooking.
STATUS AUSTRALIA
Australian Grain Technologies 
will lead Australia’s national 
lentil breeding program, 
focusing on yield, herbicide 
and disease resistance, stress 
tolerance and grain quality. 
The program will also support 
expansion into new produc­
tion regions. Western Australia 
and northern Australia.
STATUS TANZANIA
Tanzania approved a strategy 
aimed at doubling planted 
areas with improved seed 
and quadrupling its agro-
dealer network. It strengthens 
certification, seed production, 
distribution and private-sector 
participation. SW
TSI 2027 Test Locations
TSI 2027 Test Locations

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