Government allows gene edited food crops to 'harness nature's genetic resources'
Farmers say plans to develop gene edited food crops are 'encouraging'.
Last updated 29th Sep 2021
Environment Secretary George Eustice is allowing gene edited food crop trials - pledging it's different to GM or genetic modification as it won't add elements from other species.
The West Country MP says the process would slowly enhance the natural breeding process - while remaining a regulated industry.
The National Farmers' Union say the changes could improve nutritional value and create products with a longer shelf life - while reducing the need for chemicals and making crops more resilient.
Defra warn 'edited foods will only be permitted to be marketed if they are judged to not present a risk to health, not mislead consumers, and not have lower nutritional value than their non-genetically modified counterparts'.
Mr Eustice said: "Gene editing has the ability to harness the genetic resources that nature has provided.
"It is a tool that could help us in order to tackle some of the biggest challenges that we face – around food security, climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Outside the EU, we are able to foster innovation to help grow plants that are stronger and more resilient to climate change. We will be working closely with farming and environmental groups to ensure that the right rules are in place.”
Defra chief scientific advisor Gideon Henderson added: "Gene editing technologies provide a more precise way of introducing targeted genetic changes - making the same types of changes to plants and animals that occur more slowly naturally or through traditional breeding.
"These tools enable us to harness the richness of natural variation to build better crops, speeding up a process humans have done through breeding for hundreds of years.
"There are exciting opportunities to improve the environment, and we can also produce new varieties that are healthier to eat, and more resistant to climate change.”
The National Farmers' Union's Vice President Tom Bradshaw responded by saying: “It is very encouraging to see the government’s view that new precision breeding techniques, such as gene editing, have the potential to offer huge benefits to UK farming, the environment and the public, and will be vital in helping us achieve our climate change net zero ambition.
"The world’s climate emergency points to the urgency of applying this technology to farming and this announcement is an important first step towards a properly functioning legislative system.
"Edited foods will only be permitted if judged to not present a risk to health, not mislead consumers, and not have lower nutritional value than their non-genetically modified counterparts."
"These new tools could help in a number of ways, from addressing pest and disease pressures on crops and farm animals and improving animal health and welfare, to increasing farmers’ resilience in the event of extreme weather events such as flooding and drought and benefiting the environment through more efficient use of resources. This would mean lower emissions and less waste, allowing British farmers to farm more sustainably and profitably.
“Crucially, precision breeding technologies will also help in the development of foods with direct benefits to the public; better quality, increased nutritional value and products with a longer shelf life.
"We know gene editing is not a silver bullet. But if we are to make this a success, any new government regulation must be robust, fit for purpose and based on sound science. This will in turn provide public confidence, enable diverse and accessible innovation, and allow investment in products for the UK market. "
A spokesperson for The Government said "Scientists will continue to be required to notify Defra of any research trials.
"The planned changes will ease burdens for research and development involving plants, using technologies such as gene editing, to align them with plants developed using traditional breeding methods."
"The government will continue to work with farming and environmental groups to develop the right rules and to ensure robust controls are in place to maintain the highest food safety and environmental protection standards, while supporting the production of healthier food."