In assessing the next generation of plant-breeding techniques such as gene editing (Nature 520, 131–132; 2015), the European Union (EU) should take into account criticisms of its current regulatory system for new crop varieties.

Last year's statement by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on genetic techniques for crop improvement suggests that EU regulations need to move beyond production methods and focus more on the benefits of newly introduced genetic traits (see go.nature.com/gsoiza).

The UK National Institutes of Bioscience, which contributed to the statement, seek prompt realization of the societal and environmental benefits of these latest technologies. They are leading efforts to ensure that the best policy decisions are being made for plant (and animal) breeding in Europe and worldwide.