Future impacts of biotechnology on agriculture, food production and food processing

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The introduction of Agro-Food products based on modern biotechnology, such as recombinant chymosin for cheese, genetically engineered tomato puree, herbicide-resistant soybeans, and insect-resistant maize, has sparked ongoing debate within the EU. Recent polls reveal that consumer acceptance of genetically engineered foods remains low in several member states. In contrast, political and industry representatives emphasize the importance of adopting modern biotechnology in the Agro-Food sector to maintain the competitiveness of EU agriculture and support employment. This context highlights the need for a scientific analysis of the future impacts of modern biotechnology in the EU's Agro-Food sector. Previous studies have primarily focused on status-quo analyses, often limited to individual countries. However, a systematic approach to technology forecasting that incorporates international perspectives has yet to be fully explored. To address this gap, the impacts of modern biotechnology on the Agro-Food sector in five EU member countries—Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain—have been analyzed using the Delphi methodology, recognized as a reliable tool for technology forecasting.