Chemicals: Fertile ground for gene edited crops and active ingredients

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Chemicals: Fertile ground for gene edited crops and active ingredients

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Chemicals

Fertile ground for gene edited crops and

active ingredients

Industry Overview

The European Union opens the door to gene edited crops 18 June 2026

Yesterday, the European Union (EU) voted on a framework that would allow gene-edited Equity

crops to be commercialized and planted within the continent. This is a shift vs GMO United States

crops which are largely prohibited from cultivation. In general, gene-edited crops are Chemicals

plants whose DNA has been modified (without introduction of foreign genetics) to Matthew DeYoe, CFA

enhance certain traits such as yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance; examples Research Analyst

include low-gluten wheat, drought-tolerant corn, and disease-resistant rice. The proposal BofAS+1 646 855 5746

has been under discussion for years, reflecting the complexity and differing views matthew.deyoe@bofa.com

among member states. The prolonged regulatory uncertainty has made it more difficult Hakim Sanfo

Research Analyst

for seed developers, such as Corteva and Bayer, to fully commercialize seed technologies BofAS

in Europe, as companies have been reluctant to invest heavily in products without a clear +1 646 743 1557

hakim.sanfo@bofa.com

approval pathway. Although the EU has now approved a framework for gene-edited

crops, most of the rules will not take effect until a 24-month transition period ends in

mid-2028. The new regulation should create a meaningful growth opportunity for both Acronyms:

companies and is particularly timely for Corteva as it plans to separate its seed business.

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Corteva and FMC to form a partnership GMO: Genetically Modified