AIC welcomes next steps for Precision Breeding legislation to unlock benefits of gene-edited crops
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has welcomed the Government's announcement of the next steps for realising the potential benefits of gene editing technologies in England.
Secondary legislation required to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants is expected to be laid in Parliament soon, the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner MP has confirmed today (30 September).
Speaking at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Minister said that the Government will now seek to pass the supporting legislation required to unlock the benefits of the Act which became law in March 2023.
As the agri-supply industry's leading trade association, AIC has played a pivotal role in partnering with the Government in recent years as it sought to introduce this landmark legislation, which carries major significance for the UK's food security.
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Crops bred using genetic technology can be made to better withstand flooding or drought driven by climate change, as well as having a greater resistance to pests and disease.
Gene editing could help with producing more home-grown protein for animal feed, thereby cutting the UK's dependence on imports such as soya. It may also help provide food for those with special dietary needs, such as Coeliacs.
Ed Barker, AIC's Head of Policy and External Affairs, said: "We are pleased to see this new Government progressing with the necessary legislation to mean the benefits of the landmark Precision Breeding Act can be truly realised for crop production in England.
"The potential UK food security benefits of gene-editing for crops are significant, which is why AIC will continue to work closely with the Government to help ensure this legislation is pragmatic and successful.
"It is pleasing to see genuine cross-party consensus on this important issue, with the previous Conservative-led Government first embarking on this major policy change some years ago and the new Labour Government is now seeking to advance it."
Minister Daniel Zeichner MP said: "This Government recognises that food security is national security. That is why today we are introducing legislation to unlock precision breeding to boost Britain's food security, support nature's recovery and protect farmers from climate shocks.
"With these measures, our agriculture sector will be at the forefront of innovation across the world."
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Oli Hill, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Author
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.