Gene editing: a strategic tool for the future of the fruit and vegetable sector

From ANOVE, as the association representing plant breeding companies in Spain, we defend that gene editing is one of the most promising innovations to respond to current and future agricultural challenges. These techniques do not replace traditional plant breeding, but complement and enhance it, allowing new varieties to be developed in a more precise, faster and more efficient manner.

Gene editing encompasses a set of innovative techniques that make it possible to carry out specific modifications in a plant’s DNA. Unlike previous technologies, these tools act precisely on specific genes, reproducing changes that could occur naturally or through conventional breeding methods, but in less time and with greater precision. In many cases, the final result is indistinguishable from a natural mutation or one obtained through conventional methods. For this reason, numerous international scientific bodies consider that the evaluation of these plants should focus on the characteristics of the final product rather than solely on the technique used to develop them.

The fruit and vegetable sector is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Heatwaves, water scarcity, soil salinity and the emergence of new diseases are already affecting the productivity and competitiveness of many crops. Gene editing allows the development of varieties better adapted to these new conditions. Thanks to these techniques, it is possible to obtain plants with greater tolerance to drought, increased resistance to diseases or a better capacity to use nutrients and water. All of this contributes to reducing the use of plant protection products and fertilizers, supporting more sustainable production.

For example, in horticultural crops such as tomato, pepper or lettuce, gene editing can help improve resistance to viruses and fungi that generate significant economic losses. In fruit crops, it can contribute to obtaining varieties more resistant to emerging diseases or better adapted to extreme climatic conditions. In the United States, field trials are already being carried out with edited strawberry varieties resistant to a fungal disease and edited orange varieties resistant to a bacterial disease responsible for 80% of losses in the Florida citrus industry. In Europe, Italy has authorized field trials with edited grapevine varieties to confer resistance to downy mildew.

The potential benefits are not limited to agricultural production. Gene editing can also help improve food quality, increase the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables or develop products with enhanced nutritional characteristics, thus responding to increasingly demanding consumers.

The European Union has set ambitious sustainability goals through initiatives such as the European Green Deal and the “Farm to Fork” strategy. Achieving targets such as reducing the use of plant protection products, optimizing natural resources or adapting to climate change will require making all available innovation tools accessible to farmers. Plant breeding and, in particular, new genomic techniques form part of the solution.

Spain holds a leading position in the fruit and vegetable sector and is an international benchmark in plant breeding. The country has an innovative ecosystem made up of breeding companies, research centres and universities working on the development of new varieties adapted to the needs of farmers, marketers and consumers. Varietal innovation has been one of the keys to the success of the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector and will continue to be an essential element to maintain its competitiveness in the coming years.

For this reason, it is essential for Europe to have a proportionate regulatory framework based on scientific knowledge and adapted to technological advances. The legislation currently applicable to many of these techniques was designed more than two decades ago for technologies very different from those that exist today. This situation limits the innovative capacity of European agriculture and creates a growing gap with other countries that have already adopted more up-to-date regulatory approaches.

Numerous countries, including the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Japan and the United Kingdom, have adopted regulatory approaches more adapted to current scientific reality. Europe cannot fall behind if it wants to maintain the competitiveness of its agriculture and ensure food sovereignty. A balanced regulation would make it possible to boost research, facilitate the arrival of new varieties on the market and offer farmers and consumers the benefits of this innovation, while maintaining safety and transparency for all stakeholders.

Gene editing is not a single solution to all the sector’s challenges, but it is a strategic tool that can contribute decisively to building a more sustainable, productive and resilient agriculture. Committing to innovation means offering new opportunities for farmers and consumers, strengthening European technological leadership and ensuring the future of the fruit and vegetable sector and European agriculture as a whole.