Summary New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) can be an important tool to achieve the goals set out in the European Green Deal like food security, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation. However, the success of NGT‐derived products in the market depends on their acceptance by consumers and stakeholders. We assessed consumer acceptance of NGT‐derived products, in particular food products based on NGT plants, drawing on consumer surveys in five European countries. The surveys were complemented by focus group discussions with supply chain participants. Consumers are not knowledgeable about NGTs, approximately 50 per cent across the surveyed countries had never heard the term, and are less aware of NGTs than of genetically modified organisms. After providing explanation of NGTs to survey respondents, most consumers have a neutral view of them. The acceptance of NGT‐derived food differs among the five countries. Consumers from the United Kingdom declare the highest readiness to purchase an NGT‐derived food product, followed by Denmark and Germany, and lastly Slovakia and France. Focus group participants associated NGT‐derived food with advantages for the agri‐food sector but stressed the importance of providing objective information to consumers. A professional communication strategy on NGTs adopted by all relevant supply chain participants in coordination with public authorities is advisable.
Summary The 2025 US farm bill converts ad hoc farm assistance since 2018 into a projected US$ 62 billion farm safety net expansion within multi‐year legislation. Usually stand‐alone with strong bipartisan support, the 2025 edition is largely provisions in a far‐reaching, partisan budget law. The farm safety net is expanded by cutting food assistance to low‐income Americans. Increased expenditures arise mainly from double‐digit percentage higher reference prices projected to trigger payments under the PLC (Price Loss Coverage) commodity program. High crop costs of production and general inflation were argued as justifications. The increase in projected commodity program spending restores countercyclical support during periods of low market returns as a key component of the US crop safety net. New commodity program base acres will be added. Premium subsidies for insurance have monetised US farm risk into a multi‐billion‐dollar farm income flow that will increase since subsidies were raised for most field crop insurance products. Even with the much higher projected safety net spending for 2025 crops, additional ad hoc assistance was provided. Should ad hoc assistance continue for the 2026 crops and beyond, it will signal that influential policy makers consider the expanded multi‐year farm safety net inadequate.
