International Non-GMO Summit 2026: Strong signal - “Non-GMO” has a future!

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Food labelling such as “Non-GMO” and Organic is set to become even more important in the future as a result of the EU’s planned deregulation of new genomic techniques (NGTs). According to the conclusions of the Non-GMO Summit 2026, the agriculture and food sectors can - and will - rise to the challenges associated with the new rules.

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More than 120 representatives from the food industry, science, laboratories, market research, legal practice, public authorities, associations, and media from 14 countries gathered in Frankfurt on 13 May 2026 for the international industry conference. The focus was on the future of “Non-GMO” in light of the upcoming EU deregulation of “new genomic techniques” (NGTs).

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“Consumers want transparency,” said German Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer (CSU) in his video address opening the conference. He stressed that “Non-GMO” labelling has become a reliable tool and an essential component of a responsible market. In his view, the “high standards for labelling and traceability” associated with “Non-GMO” can be maintained even after NGT deregulation. However, this will require “reliable detection methods to ensure that monitoring and trust continue to be guaranteed.”

Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ), State Secretary at Austria’s Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, criticised the planned removal of mandatory labelling for a large share of future genetic engineering products: “This lack of labelling significantly restricts consumers’ freedom of choice.” Austria therefore voted against deregulation at EU level.

Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister for Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, announced comprehensive reforms to Ukraine’s GMO regulatory framework. The aim is full alignment with European standards. In the long term, Ukraine seeks to position itself as a reliable supplier of Non-GMO agricultural products to Europe.

“This summit has clearly shown that consumer attitudes towards NGTs are unambiguous: a large majority do not want them on their plates, and almost all want clear labelling. These are ideal conditions for an industry that meets exactly these consumer expectations. If NGT wheat, barley or bananas enter the market without labelling, I am curious to see who will be the first to use the ‘Non-GMO’ label on their bread, beer or baby food,” said Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of the German Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG). “To achieve this, we need workable legal frameworks, which we are ready to help develop together with policymakers. We welcome the support that has been announced.”

Through a series of presentations and panel discussions with practitioners and experts from the food industry, “Non-GMO” and organic associations, public authorities, legal experts, detection specialists and market researchers, the Non-GMO Summit 2026 highlighted once again that the upcoming NGT deregulation will pose significant challenges for both the organic and “Non-GMO” sectors - and demonstrated how these challenges can be addressed.

Among other topics, initial concepts were presented by “Non-GMO” associations on adapting existing systems to ensure the exclusion of NGT use. Participants also gained insights into the current state of development of NGT detection methods, legal assessments of coexistence rules for NGTs, and new market research findings on consumer expectations regarding NGTs.

The International Non-GMO Summit 2026 was jointly organised by the European Non-GMO Industry Association (ENGA), Verband Lebensmittel ohne Gentechnik e.V. (VLOG), ARGE Gentechnik-frei, Donau Soja and the ProTerra Foundation.

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