The government will introduce new legislation in a new bill later today (Wednesday 25 May 2022) to speed up the development and marketing of “gene-edited” crops.
Gene editing can change the traits of a plant or animal species faster and more accurately than traditional selective breeding, which has been used for centuries to create stronger, healthier crops and livestock.
The UK government says gene editing could help improve food security, produce more nutritious, climate-resilient crops, or grow crops that require less of the pesticides and fertilisers that destroy wildlife, and are more resistant to disease Or livestock that need fewer antibiotics.
regulated
But Soil Association policy director Joe Lewis said: “Seeing governments prioritise unpopular technologies instead of focusing on the real problems – unhealthy diets, lack of crop diversity, overcrowding of farm animals and a dramatic decline in beneficial insects , we are deeply disappointed. Can eat pests.
“Instead of trying to alter the DNA of stressed animals and monocrops to make them temporarily immune to disease, we should first invest in solutions that address the causes of disease and pests.”
Agroecology and the shift to healthy and sustainable diets are the most evidence-based solutions for climate, nature and health, she said.
Officials and scientists distinguish between gene editing, which involves manipulation of genes within a single species or genus, and transgenics, which introduce DNA from one species into a different species.
But following the EU ruling in 2018, it is regulated in the same way as GMOs, which the government is now eliminating as Britain leaves the bloc.
Assure
The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act would create a new category of gene-edited organisms, regulating them separately from genetically modified (GM) organisms.
It will introduce a new notification system for research and marketing, and ensure that information collected about precision-bred organisms is published in a public registry.
The new legislation aims to speed up the development and commercialization of crops and livestock bred through gene editing, although the government says it is taking a step-by-step approach, starting with rules for plants.
It could pave the way for growing mold-resistant tomatoes to reduce the use of fungicides or fortified with vitamin D, developing wheat that can handle higher temperatures, and breeding chickens that are resistant to bird flu.
The Department of Environment (Defra) has said no changes will be made to the regulation of animals under the GMO regime until measures are in place to protect animal welfare.
Based on accuracy
It will also allow the importation of genetically modified foods from other countries if the same regulations are met.
The rule change applies to England so GM foods can be developed and produced by UK scientists and farmers, but also sold in Scotland and Wales.
The government has allowed field trials of gene-edited crops in England without going through a licensing process that costs researchers £5,000 to £10,000, although scientists must inform Defra of their tests.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Outside the EU, we are free to follow science. The UK has some incredible centres of academic excellence that are ready to lead the way.”
Dr Penny Hundleby, Senior Scientist at the John Innes Centre, said: “Gene editing and genome sequencing are huge strengths for the UK and with the new Genetic Technologies Act they will bring us into an exciting economic, smart and precision plant breeding-based environment. times.”
this author
Emily Beament is the PA Environmental Correspondent.
